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6
Aug
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Smart Spaghetti with Shrimp, Peas, and Pesto |
Move over, whole wheat – there’s another smart pasta in on the block. Pave the way for Ronzoni Smart Taste, a white pasta fortified with calcium and fiber. Hold on a sec. Did this health nut just say she’s eating white pasta? How can that be, when the diet and well-being craze emphasizes brown, brown, brown?! Well, see, I just don’t eat a lot of “bad” carbs to begin with no. No white bread, white rice, white potatoes or anything of the like here. My carb intake consists of oatmeal, whole-grain low-carb wraps, and fruits and vegetables. So, I figure I’m getting more than my share of good carbs, and if I want to go ahead and enjoy pasta roughly once a month, there’s no harm in making it white. But the real draw here is the calcium – as a woman, it’s something I need and know that I don’t get nearly enough of. So I happen to think it’s pretty cool that I can get that important nutrient from my pasta.
Tonight I prepared my low-fat pesto, using some parsley in addition to basil because my parsley plant was begging to be picked. I also added some cheese and olive oil, because after going through the rest of my food today, I saw I could actually use a little extra fat. Yay for good fats! To make this dish even smarter, I simply threw the peeled, deveined shrimp and frozen peas in with the pasta during the last 2 minutes of cooking, then drained it all and tossed with the pesto. No need to dirty an extra pan here.
Tonight I prepared my low-fat pesto, using some parsley in addition to basil because my parsley plant was begging to be picked. I also added some cheese and olive oil, because after going through the rest of my food today, I saw I could actually use a little extra fat. Yay for good fats! To make this dish even smarter, I simply threw the peeled, deveined shrimp and frozen peas in with the pasta during the last 2 minutes of cooking, then drained it all and tossed with the pesto. No need to dirty an extra pan here.
Low-fat pesto, calcium-fortified pasta, and 20 minutes prep & cook total? I’d say that’s one smart meal 🙂
I'm Cara, lover of creative, clean food and healthy living. Pumpkin, goat cheese, and eggplant make me swoon. I have an insatiable sweet tooth and desire to lift heavy things. 
Patsyk — August 6, 2008 @ 12:34 pm
I haven’t tried those pastas yet, but might have to now. This dish looks delicious and I love that it’s a healthy meal, too!
Joelen — August 6, 2008 @ 1:27 pm
I’ll have to check into that Ronzoni Smart Taste! Have you tried brown rice pastas? I know TJ’s sells them and I’m curious what your thoughts are on them if you tried them…
Liz — August 6, 2008 @ 1:28 pm
I love the Ronzoni Smart Taste pastas too!Your recipe looks delicious!
That Girl — August 6, 2008 @ 4:41 pm
You sound just like my husband. Lately he keeps trying to up my calcium. I must look weak boned or something.
Kevin — August 7, 2008 @ 10:59 am
I have just been using the whole wheat pastas so far. I will have to look for this pasta to try. I like the sound of a pesto and shrimp pasta.
Sophie — August 12, 2008 @ 4:34 pm
We would like to feature this recipe on our blog. Please email sophiekiblogger@gmail.com if interested. Thanks :)You can check out our blog here:http://blog.keyingredient.com/
Robin — August 13, 2008 @ 9:23 am
Looks fabulous!!
That Girl — April 5, 2011 @ 1:15 am
You sound just like my husband. Lately he keeps trying to up my calcium. I must look weak boned or something.
Joelen — April 5, 2011 @ 1:15 am
I'll have to check into that Ronzoni Smart Taste! Have you tried brown rice pastas? I know TJ's sells them and I'm curious what your thoughts are on them if you tried them…