Asian Spaghetti

I get together regularly with friends, and we often make it a potluck when we do. As the only vegan in the group, I am grateful my friends put forth effort to accommodate me. Not everyone is willing to do that, and when it happens, it is very much appreciated. Likewise, I try to take dishes that I think are pretty neutral. Pasta, for instance. Most people like pasta, and it is hard to go wrong with it.

This is the dish I shared recently with them.

Asian Spaghetti

One package angel hair pasta

1 c. sliced fresh mushrooms

4 green onions, cut into 1-inch pieces

2 T. olive oil

One garlic clove, minced

1/4 c. soy sauce

1 t. sugar

1/4 t. cayenne pepper

2 T. sesame seeds, toasted

 

Cook the pasta according to package directions. Saute the mushrooms, onions and garlic in the oil until just softened. In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, sugar and cayenne. When the pasta is done cooking and drained, add it to the skillet with the mushroom mixture and pour on the soy sauce mixture and toss to coat. Heat through. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

What little was left over I brought home to my youngest, who devoured it.

Simple Pasta with Fresh Tomatoes

When you are in a hurry for supper, a lot of people, myself included, will grab a package of spaghetti, some canned or jarred spaghetti sauce, maybe a little something else to throw in for good measure, and call it done. It might feed everyone's hunger, but that's about it. No one ever walks away from such a meal and says, "Wow, that was fantastic!" It was quick, it was easy, it was probably cheap, but it wasn't delicious.

I like quick. I like easy. But I also want something that makes me sigh when I take the first bite.

Simple Pasta with Fresh Tomatoes

One package pasta of choice (I prefer thin spaghetti or angel hair pasta)
3 tomatoes, chopped into small pieces
3 T. olive oil
2 t. basil
1 t. salt
1 t. coarsely ground black pepper

Boil the noodles per the package directions. Drain and place the noodles in a large bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and toss to coat the noodles well. Serve. Enjoy!

See? Now wasn't that quick? Wasn't that easy? And wasn't it better than that ol' jarred sauce?