Quick Bites: Dinnertime Concoctions

I'd like to be a better cook. Really. For as much as I enjoy eating, this really should be a top New Year's resolution for 2011. My major issue is that I don't check out recipes before going grocery shopping so don't have on-hand the necessary ingredients to make an all-star dish. However, while this gal isn't the best cook in the world, she does have a few great go-to dinners.

One of my favorites? The healthy veggies/protein/pasta concoction! This is also perfect because I'm a fan of cooking large portions so we can enjoy the meal the next day or repurpose it into a new dinner idea. Here's one example: last week I made an easy, healthy pasta dish that I thought worthy of sharing, if only to get you thinking about what you could make. I unfortunately didn't have the right fresh herbs on hand (cilantro wasn't the right fit) so consider that when cooking.

Ingredients
1 bag of large frozen, cooked shrimp
1 box of pasta
2 small bags of broccoli
1 yellow (sweet) onion
1 can of quartered artichokes
2 garlic cloves (or to taste)

salt and pepper

Feta cheese

Directions
Defrost shrimp.

Cook pasta according to directions, making sure to salt the water well before cooking pasta.

Meanwhile, get olive oil and garlic cooking in a large pan on the stove top at medium to high heat for just a minute. Put in broccoli and onion. Cook about 10-15 minutes until soft, yet crispy, and then add artichokes and shrimp to heat. Lower heat so artichokes and shrimp warm, and monitor until pasta is done.

Once pasta is complete, combine it with vegetable/shrimp mix. I typically transfer using a collapsible hand strainer (best. purchase. ever. I use to strain canned veggies, beans, pasta, etc. love.). I simply put strainer in pasta pot to scoop. I like having a little of the starchy liquid in the final dish.

Once transferred, mix everything together and add more olive oil and salt and pepper, to taste. Alternatively, you could combine with tomato sauce.

Finally, add in feta cheese crumbles and transfer to serving dish. EAT!

This was a solid three days of food for us... with plenty of the low-fat, protein-filled shrimp for us!