14 May 2009

Spaghetti with Garlic and Spinach























Ruth over at Once Upon a Feast has been faithfully spearheading Presto Pasta Nights for a few years now. This week PPN is being hosted by Kitchenetta of Got No Milk . I have been eating pasta a little more often lately so have taken a keen interest in what is submitted by all of you talented bloggers. This week I opted for something simple, quick and tasty. Naturally I had to take a walk down memory lane with Ruth and check out the years of history over at Presto Pasta Nights.

This dish was simple to prepare. I just added some fresh ricotta to the final product for that extra creaminess I love without using cream or butter sauces. Cooking the garlic over low heat draws out some of its pungency, leaving behind lots of garlicky taste without the bite.


**Spaghetti with Garlic and Spinach**
based on a recipe from Fine Cooking Magazine

Kosher salt
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
6 - 8 ( I used only 4)large cloves garlic, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
10 oz baby spinach (10 loosely packed cups)
Freshly ground black pepper
1 lb dried spaghetti
1 cup (about 2 oz) freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
1/2 cup fresh mozzarella cheese

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Bring a large pot of well-salted water to boil.

Combine the oil and garlic in a 12-inch skillet over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring often, until the garlic becomes fragrant and is just beginning to turn golden, 4 - 6 minutes. Add the spinach, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper and cook, tossing gently with tongs, until the spinach begins to wilt, 2 - 3 minutes more. Remove from the heat.

Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water and drain the pasta.

Return the skillet to medium heat. Add the drained pasta and 1/2 cup of the reserved cooking water. Cook for 1 - 2 minutes, tossing and stirring to combine and blend the flavours. If the pasta isn't tender or seems dry, add the remainder of the cooking water and continue to cook and stir until done. Toss with the ricotta and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheeses. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve immediately.


Serves 4 Best Blogger Tips

33 comments:

  1. My sons could eat pasta every night. This dish would be great with Rob's chicken that you featured this week.

    Hélène :)

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  2. This looks like childs play to make and yet so full of flavor...a good one, Val!!!

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  3. A perfect combination, yummy!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  4. this sounds delicious! i have a big bag of spinach that needs to be used! :)

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  5. It's these simple pastas that are often the best Val...and who could resist ricotta, mixed in at the end? Yum!

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  6. Oooh I love the look of this! So easy too - thanks for sharing. Great photo.

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  7. I love simple and quick pasta dishes like that. They are perfect mid week dinners.

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  8. Ah yes! Simple yet so delicious. This looks just great especially since I'm sitting here waiting for the wife and kids for dinner....

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  9. AnonymousMay 15, 2009

    Lovely pasta with garlic and spinach!

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  10. "Eating pasta a little more often" can pack on the lbs., but I can't give it up. My resolution is to include vegetables and bulk the plate up with a ratio of more vegetable to pasta (spinach is a fave). I also use low-fat cheeses and chicken broth to stretch sauces.

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  11. Packing on the pounds is why I try to avoid having pasta too often. Using ricotta added the creaminess I love without the added calories of using butter and cream sauces.

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  12. Val, you have more discipline than me re packing on pounds. Also, pasta is my daughter's preferred sustenance. I love your dish and your pic. It looks so summery, and we are heading for one of the biggest cold fronts of the year here in CT. Vive la Cape of Storms.

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  13. This is my go to dish when I...
    a) brain won't function
    b) am stressed
    c) been so busy I forgot about supper until my tummy is growling

    Thanks for sharing with Presto Pasta Nights.

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  14. simple and fresh, quick and tasty. this one's a winner, through and through.

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  15. This is what it seems to me like pasta was invented for: garlic and spinach that's for me.

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  16. So happy it is herb season because this means more pesto action. Can never go wrong with the simplicity and beauty of a nice dish of pasta.

    Nicely done!

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  17. I just love pasta dishes and this one sounds wonderful Val. Nice for a midweek treat :0)

    Rosie x

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  18. Is it wrong to admit I could live on pasta? I love the stuff, and your recipe for spaghetti with garlic & spinach is no exception. At least your way, I'd be getting my greens and some iron too!

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  19. Gorgeous photos Val. I could eat my weight in that pasta.
    Sam

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  20. Pasta is always best like this - simple, unfussy, and fresh ingredients. Gorgeous meal, Val.

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  21. Yum! I just had something similar yesterday and I am still thinking about it today!

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  22. Perfectly simple and delicious, I love it! Pasta is my best friend, next to bread and garlic that is!

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  23. Oh wow that looks amazing! Perfect with a glass of white wine!

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  24. Yum! This one I have to try!

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  25. I love pasta dishes and this sounds wonderful ... packed with flavour!!

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  26. Great recipe! I made this today and it was SO good!

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  27. I also like to keep an eye on those presto pasta recipes.

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  28. I love pasta any way you can make it I'll eat it Val. Simple and delicious is always the best!

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  29. I love as you make the pasta Vall, look so nice and tasty, xxGloria

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  30. How can you not win when you put together such winners?! Simple and delicious.

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  31. This pasta dish looks like a breath of spring - thanks for submitting to Presto Pasta Nights - definitely a recipe worth sharing!

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  32. I still have lots of baby spinach in a tub and this would hit the spot, just so.

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  33. looks like the perfect meal. Thanks for sharing.

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Welcome to my home. Thank you for choosing to stay a while and for sharing our lives through food. I appreciate all your support, comments, suggestions, and daily encouragement.

Val

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