Barilla Whole Grain Spaghetti with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil

Discover the great taste of whole grains

(ARA) – For many, finding a simple way to get good nutrition without sacrificing taste can be a challenge – a daily dilemma between flavorful foods and products that promote a wholesome diet. Great solutions can easily be found thanks to the introduction of new better-for-you foods and beverages that are surprisingly delicious.

The benefits of whole grains, for example, have been widely documented. Consuming foods rich in whole grains as part of a healthy diet has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and help protect against stroke, certain types of cancers and also assists with weight control. The great news is that these days it’s easy to seamlessly integrate whole grains into traditional recipes for a delicious meal. For example, a versatile food like whole grain pasta pairs very well with fresh seasonal vegetables, cheeses and aromatic herbs, making it a great dish for any season.

Bob Greene, celebrity fitness guru and author of the New York Times bestseller “The Best Life Diet,” believes healthy eating can be a culinary experience. “As part of the ‘Best Life Diet,’ I try to share foods that are not only healthy but also taste great,” says Greene. He provides the following tips for healthy living:

* As with anything else, eating well and feeling good doesn’t happen overnight. Sticking with a healthy routine even after slip-ups is key.

* Physical activity and proper nutrition go hand in hand. Regular exercise and eating lots of fruits, vegetables and foods rich in whole grains are a great way to boost your overall wellness.

“I recommend three to five servings of whole grains daily. To reach this goal, try substituting some of the refined products you eat with versions that contain whole grains. For instance, this is easy when you enjoy foods that taste delicious like Barilla Whole Grain pasta that you can use in place of regular pasta. Eating a fiber-rich diet can be actually very easy and tasty,” Greene says.

As part of his quest to encourage Americans to rediscover whole grains, Greene encourages people to take the Barilla “That’s Whole Grain?” Taste Challenge which guarantees that anyone who tries Barilla Whole Grain will enjoy its taste. People who are not completely satisfied with the product can receive a box of their favorite regular Barilla pasta. To participate or learn more visit www.TryBarillaWholeGrain.com.

If you’re ready for the challenge of eating healthy, try this mouth-watering, easy-to-make recipe:

Barilla Whole Grain Spaghetti with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
Prep Time: Four minutes
Cook time: Eight minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients:
1 box Barilla Whole Grain Spaghetti
1 clove garlic, minced
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 teaspoon salt

Freshly ground black pepper to taste
5 to 6 leaves basil, sliced into thin strips
1/2 cup Parmigiano, grated

Directions:
Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute minced garlic in olive oil until slightly yellow. Add cherry tomatoes and saute 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, and remove from heat. Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid. Toss pasta with cherry tomatoes, garlic and half the basil. Add reserved cooking liquid to skillet and toss pasta again. Top with Parmigiano, black pepper and remaining basil.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Per serving, about:

Calories: 284
Protein: 12 g
Carbohydrate: 49 g
Dietary Fiber: 7 g
Total Sugars: 2 g
Total Fat: 6 g
Saturated Fat: 1.7 g
Cholesterol: 7 mg
Calcium: 96 mg
Sodium: 229 mg

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Italian cooking is incredibly popular, and it is definitely among the richest and most varied anywhere. The problem is finding an easy Italian recipe to make, which is especially important if you are just a beginner. There are a few really great Italian cooking recipes that are ideal to try out, even for someone who has never cooked Italian food before in their life.

Shrimp Scampi

Shrimp is a very popular Italian food and shrimp scampi is definitely one of the most widely loved Italian cooking recipes. For this recipe you will need 1 ½ pounds large shrimp, 1/3 cup butter, 4 tablespoons minced garlic, 6 green onions, ¼ cup dry white wine, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, and salt and pepper to taste.

To prepare this dish you start off by rinsing the shrimp and setting it aside. Then you want to heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat, cook the garlic for a couple of minutes until softened and then add the shrimp, green onions, wine, and lemon juice. You want to cook the shrimp until they are pink and firm, which should take about one to two minutes on each side.

Keep in mind that the trick to this recipe is to not overcook the shrimp. You can add a lot of extra garlic but make sure not to overdo it because you do not want to overshadow the taste of the shrimp. The dish is often served over pasta but can also be served on its own with some crusty bread.

Spaghetti with Mussels

Another of the most popular Italian cooking recipes is spaghetti with mussels. Not only is this considered as being one of the most delicious Italian cooking recipes but one of the easiest to prepare as well.

For this recipe you will need 3 pounds fresh mussels, 1 bay leaf, 6 peppercorns, 2 whole cloves, ¼ cup dry white wine, 3 quarts water, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 pound spaghetti, 4 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon garlic, 1 cup stewed tomatoes, 1 tablespoon fresh basil, ¼ teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon white pepper.

To prepare, you begin by scrubbing the mussels under cold water, and removing the beards and draining. Then you want to add the mussels, bay leaf, peppercorns, cloves, and wine together in a large saucepan or kettle. Cover this mixture and bring to a boil, and then cook this over high heat until the mussels open. This typically takes about five minutes but times will vary depending on the cooking element.

Finally you add the garlic and cook briefly, stirring often. Add the tomatoes, broth and spaghetti, and then add the mussels to this. Stir and heat for a moment and serve hot.

These Italian cooking recipes are just examples of what authentic Italian cooking is really all about.

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Ingredients

360 g fresh salmon (fillet with skin)

60 mL (1/4 cup) roasted sesame oil

60 mL (1/4 cup) sesame seeds, roasted

15 mL (1 tbsp) canola oil

15 mL (1 tbsp) tamari sauce

15 mL (1 tbsp) fresh ginger, chopped

375 g Catelli Healthy Harvest Whole Wheat Spaghetti

1 yellow bell pepper, in fine strips

2 green onions, finely minced

60 mL (1/4 cup) fresh coriander, chopped

To taste salt and pepper

Instructions

. Baste salmon with 30 mL (2 tbsp) roasted sesame oil; salt and sprinkle with 30 mL (2 tbsp) roasted sesame seeds.

. Bake in oven preheated to 200°C (400°F) for 12-15 minutes. Set aside.

. In a bowl, blend together remaining sesame oil, canola oil, tamari sauce and ginger. Set aside.

. Cook spaghetti according to package directions. 1 minute before end of cooking time, add yellow pepper.

. Drain pasta and pepper very well. Transfer to a serving dish.

. Top with green onions, sesame oil dressing, salmon, remaining sesame seeds and fresh coriander.

Preparation: 20 minutes

Cooking: 30 minutes

Servings: 4 to 6

Credit: www.newscanada.com

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(NC)-A refreshing and light pasta that is great on its own or with salmon or chicken. Vary the heat according to your preference. For a complete meal, add cooked shrimp and asparagus pieces.

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 10- 12 minutes

12 oz whole wheat spaghetti 375 g

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil 75 mL

1lb thinly sliced fresh mushrooms 500g

4 garlic cloves, crushed 4

1/2-1 tsp hot red pepper flakes 2-5 mL

1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions 125 mL

1 tbsp finely grated lime rind 15 mL

1/2 cup fresh lime juice 125 mL

1/2 tsp salt 2 mL

2/3 cup minced cilantro 175 mL

Cook the spaghetti in a large saucepan of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente drain reserving some of the pasta water.

Meanwhile, in large skillet heat the oil over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and sauté 3-4 minutes or until starting to brown; add garlic, red pepper flakes and onion, cook stirring constantly, for 30 -60 seconds. Remove from heat and mix lime juice, rind and salt. Pour over hot drained spaghetti; toss to coat well. If upon standing it seems too dry gradually add a little pasta water. Taste and add freshly ground pepper if desired. Stir in cilantro.

Makes 4 servings

Variation: Stir-fry or boil shrimp and asparagus pieces and toss in at the end.

For more delicious recipe ideas visit Mushrooms Canada at www.mushrooms.ca.

Credit: www.newscanada.com

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