May 22, 2011

Pasta MacGyver


I'm a planner. It is an innate part of my personality. It's something I am increasingly trying to change. Fear not, I will maintain a certain amount of my type A personality. I will always be a list maker and have goals. But...I am trying to introduce a little more spontaneity into my life, every aspect of my life. Believe me when I say it can be life changing. Let go of the control sometime and just go with the flow. You might like it too. 

At first glance it might seem like there is no connection between this epiphany of mine and a recipe but it is actually a perfect example. Last night my Sweet Hubby was going to grill something for dinner when it started raining. In the past this wrench in my plan would have thrown me for a loop, instead I decided to throw a pasta meal together. I find myself putting together spontaneous pasta dinners more and more often. Sweet Hubby said I am the MacGyver of pasta hence the name for this recipe made entirely with things I found in my kitchen last night.

Pasta MacGyver
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, diced
4 cloves of garlic, minced
12 oz bag Trader Joe's frozen artichokes
28 oz crushed tomatoes
pinch of red pepper flakes
salt and pepper to taste
4 leftover chicken sausages, sliced
fresh angel hair pasta from the farmer's market
Parmesan cheese

Saute onion in butter and olive oil until translucent. Add garlic and cook for a few more minutes, then add artichokes and saute until warmed. Add crushed tomatoes and seasonings. (I wish I had thought to run out to the garden and get some fresh basil- yum). Slice leftover chicken sausage and add to sauce and let simmer while cooking pasta. Top pasta with sauce, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and thank God for the rain that forced you to create something you never would have made otherwise.

The beauty of this meal is that you can make it your own with whatever you have on hand. 

23 comments:

  1. Um, YUM! NOw I want pasta at 10 am.

    I love the new header =)

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  2. WOW, sounds awesome! I can't wait to try out the recipe~YUM!

    Hope you are having a beautiful day!

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  3. Boy the recipe sounds awesome, can't wait to try it!

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  4. Oh yummy!! Good for you to make something good out of rain! I had to do something similar however it wasn't rain that got my son and I down, it was no gas for the grill. I hate when that happens. But we still ate outdoors even if I had to cook indoors.

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  5. Aren't you all creative now! I like your new header.

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  6. I love pasta and have made some weird combinations but they taste good anyway. Way to go ...

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  7. YUM. Always love pasta. Have you seen the veggie kind? Like you get a serving of vegetables when you eat it? But then when I have pasta I want sausage and bread and wine...YUM.
    xo, Cheryl

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  8. I just want you to know that you ROCK!!!! I have 4 or 5 links of sausage that I didn't use in last nights dinner and wanted to make a pasta dish with it and NOW I CAN!!! LOL! LOve it :)

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  9. ps- I love making up my own recipes too! I usually wait to see if everyone likes it before admitting to it!! ROFL! It's the Italian in me :)

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  10. Love the name of your recipe. Like you, I don't often have a plan B but I'm getting better {or at least trying} at rolling with the bumps in the road. I'll keep this recipe in my files for such an event.

    Jo

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  11. Jen I think this looks yummy!!
    What kind of tree is this in your blog heading..it is so pretty!
    And who says we type A's can't be flexible...lol
    from one A to another

    Cindy from Rick-Rack and Gingham

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  12. Hello! Yup I do this all the time and actually I'm going to do this tonight with leftover sausages! Hooray!

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  13. hi jen,

    love your new blog header pic! cottage life, baby!

    macgyver throw-togethers are what i'm all about and 99% of the time, artichokes are part of the deal. strangely delicious!

    happy monday and thank you for your supersweet comment on my blog post. it made me :)

    xo
    elyse

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  14. i was sitting here listening to my tummy growl
    & then
    i opened up this post...
    & now my mouth is also watering.
    i have one word for you.
    starving.

    looks scrumptious!!

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  15. OHHH! This sounds wonderful! Too bad it is headed towards midnight here now! I'd be in the kitchen cooking! xxoo Diana

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  16. Okay, add that to the menu for my next visit. Looks and sounds delish. Now I just need some photos so I can picture you cooking in your new kitchen!

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  17. I may be a bit late on this but...love the new header!! So you!
    Take care girl.
    xo Jeanne {BKB}

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  18. Love your new blog banner photo. Keep up the good work! Lana www.lifeatwildberrycottage.com

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  19. That looks fantastic!!!! Pasta
    & I are best friends:))

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  20. Sounds yummy! I love a good pasta dinner!
    XO-Hope

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  21. Hi Jen, the pasta looks yummy! I love the new picture on your blog.
    Just wanted to stop by and say hello! Thanks for inspiring me to take a leap of faith. i have decided to work part time next year and see where that takes me. Hope you are well.

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  22. It wil be so fun to see where all this spontaneity goes...and now, I'm hungry for pasta and it's bed time!
    xo J~

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  23. (you're killing me. UPDATES, woman!! ;o) )

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