Fast And Easy??? Really????

I know that "fast and easy" has become the norm for a lot of people. People believe this is a necessity because both parents work or you're a single parent an you just don't have the time or energy to prepare a meal when you get home. It doesn't have to be that way. And really, Pre-packaged-packaged meals are not good for you or your family. Too much salt, additives and preservatives. Bad bad bad!

Take a look at that label...is that stuff really good for you? Not! It still takes time to prepare ut so can homemade sauce. I'm not talking about the long drawn out spaghetti sauce that is made with hours of simmering. I'm talking about what I do for my household. Fast, versatile and so so so easy.

Prepare pasta noodles as you normally would but don't throw out the water.

In a pan, saute fresh garlic in olive oil. Add fresh chopped tomato's and saute until the juices flow..... Here is where you can get creative depending on what your family likes to eat. At this point you can add other fresh ingredients such as artichoke or cut asparagus, fresh green beans...whatmmmmmm Saute but don't let the veggies get mushy, Ick! A light saute is the best.

Now, take the pasta out of the pot dripping with excess water and add to you sauteed mixture. The excess water will create more sauce. If you want more sauce add a little more pasta water. Add sliced black olives or kalamata whichever your family enjoys. Now toss in a bunch of fresh grated Parmesan cheese. The cheese will thicken the pasta water and cooked down tomato juice into a fantastic sauce. All you have to do before you serve is to take a pinch of kosher (or whatever you have on hand) salt sprinkle on the top and another sprinkle of fresh parmesan cheese and you're done. Fresh, healthy, easy and fast. I can make this dish in 30 minutes or less and so can you. Remember, for the most part you control what goes into this dish. Go ahead, add some sliced sausage, shrimp or chopped clams.

tip tip tip tip

This summer if you grow your own tomato's or get them from the market or farmers market....you can freeze the tomato's whole. During the off season when it's tough to get really tasty tomato's you will have the full flavor of fresh. And with this dish, it's easy to add the frozen tomato's. You can also use the frozen to other dishes such as stews or soups and the flavor will pack a punch!