Pbenjay's Blog

When I arrived in OG today, the larder was pretty empty at first glance.  BUT then, a closer look and some culinary creativity and voilà – Pasta Primavera!

I had a package of cooked chicken strips that I purchased at Costco in the freezer (so I defrosted them) and some carrots and celery left over from my last Mah Jongg night when they were part of a veggie and dip plate.  A red onion had been hanging around the house for some time and of course I always have fresh garlic in the house.  I bought 5 lbs of fresh asparagus at Costco today and I also keep a bag of frozen mixed vegetables in the freezer. Definitely the making of a tasty pasta and vegetable dish.

I sauteed the garlic, red onion and tossed in the celery, carrots and asparagus in olive oil.  I ha some vegetable broth in the refrigerator but alas, it had a sour smell so I poured it down the sink.  I found a can of Swanson chicken broth and added that to the veggies.  After a bit of cooking, I added the chicken strips, and two handfuls of frozen mixed vegetables.  Salt and pepper and some red pepper flakes and while that was cooking, I filled a pot with water to cook some pasta.  Buccatini seemed like the perfect choice.

When the buccatini was done, I drained it and before I put it in the bowl, I put a little basting oil in the bottom of the bowl.  Added some pasta, then some of the vegetables and kept alternating till all was in the bowl and topped it off with a good amount of shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. 

It was delicious!  Yes I do say so myself!

Cheap and easy eats

PS. This is not a photo of my dish because those who know know, that’s fettucine and not buccatini!