But sometimes, I want to chow down on a whole mass of pasta...and I don't want to eat 600 calories in one sitting. Fortunately, by cheating a little (Hungry Girl style) and by skimping on the olive oil (healthy or no, a tablespoon still brings over 100 calories to the table), you can still do some serious nomming without feeling like a manatee.
This is a single-serving week-night recipe--specifically, this is the kind of thing I make when I get home from the gym at 9:30 at night and I still haven't eaten and G gave up and ate already so I really just need food, fast, and with lots of protein so yes, thanks, I will use processed food mmkay?
This picture is murky but behold the sheer quantity of foods.
Skinny Pasta Primavera:
-1 package shirataki noodles (packages contain two "servings" but fuhgeddabouddit)
-3 cloves garlic, chopped
-1 serving faux chicken (may I take a moment to extol the virtues of Gardein's new products--high protein and low sodium? I like the mediterranean filets for this dish), cut into bite-sized pieces
-1/2 T olive oil
-3 cloves garlic, minced
-1 yellow squash, peeled and sliced into half-moons
-1 zucchini, peeled and sliced into half-moons
-1 C cherry tomatoes, halved
-1/4 C sun dried tomatoes
- Drain the shirataki noodles and rinse them thoroughly in a colander. Yes, they smell like fish at first. Just go with it.
- Place the noodles in a pot and cover well with water; toss in the 3 cloves chopped garlic. Bring to a boil and cook for about 2 minutes, then turn off the heat. You can leave the noodles in the water until you're ready for them; they won't get soggy. (You can skip this step if you, for some reason, like that fishy smell.)
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute garlic in the oil for about 2 minutes, until fragrant but not burny. Add the zucchini and squash and cover, cooking until tender (about 5 minutes). Stir occasionally; if it starts to stick, add a few splashes of water (or vegetable broth, if you prefer).
- Add the sun-dried and cherry tomatoes and cook until the cherry tomatoes are starting to get squishy. Then add the faux chicken and cook until heated through.
- Drain the shirataki noodles and cut them into manageable pieces with kitchen shears or a carefully wielded knife. Add to the pasta and stir until the vegetables are evenly distributed. Plop into a big old bowl and hork it down. Nom.
Nutritional information:
-Gardein Chik'n Fillets: 140 calories, 4g fat, 6g carbs, 2g fiber, 22g protein
-Shirataki noodles: 40 calories, 0g fat, 6g carbs, 4g fiber, 2g protein
-Total: 366 calories, 12g fat, 40g carbs, 13g fiber, 30g protein
Totally boss.