Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Quick Dinner for a Hot Summer Night

Last week something (I don't even remember what) went wrong and I was suddenly stuck for a quick meal using whatever I had on hand.

Uh oh.

Then I had an idea!!!!!

I remembered how we were all wowed by Mary Connealy's quick lasagna using cottage cheese. Hmmm. I had some of that. Maybe I could improvise!


Tomatoes?   Check


Basil?    Check



Spaghetti?    Check


Garlic?   Of course. I always have my favorite freeze-dried garlic on hand.



Cottage Cheese?  Check





This was perfect because A) it was hot and B) I didn't really feel like cooking and this was quick and tasty.

All I had to do was cook the spaghetti, then briefly stir-fry the tomatoes, garlic and basil.
I drained the spaghetti, tossed it into the wok with the tomato basil mix, stirred in the cottage cheese to warm, and serve.


I also happened to have a fabulous multi-grain baguette to go with it. I could have added a salad, but I didn't. ;)


There you have it - carbs, veggies, and protein in about ten minutes.



So what are your go-to meals in a hurry?  Isn't it nice to have Yankee Belle friends like Mary Connealy to fall back on in an emergency?

9 comments:

  1. What a great fresh summer take on Mary's idea! I think I'm in love with this! I'd have never thought of it (my bad!!!) but I'm so glad you did! Thank you, Cate!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What's that saying, necessity is the mother of invention? In this case hunger was the mother of innovation.

      Delete
  2. Very timely since someone gave me a tub of cottage cheese and I am not a fan. And bonus, I have all the ingredients so guess what I'm having for dinner tonight?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I hope you like it Kav. I'm doing a variation myself tonight because hubby is having chicken and I don't eat it.

      Delete
  3. Oh, wow!! What a great idea!! I'll have to keep cottage cheese on hand for this type recipe. :)

    I'm now thinking... I have tomatoes, and ricotta, and a box of linguine... :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have to admit, Missy. I think it tastes better with ricotta. The result isn't as watery as it is with cottage cheese. I had to drain it before serving.

      Delete
  4. This looks so fresh and delicious! And now I'm wondering what I have on hand...I haven't been to the grocery store since before the Rally, so things are getting a little sparse in the fresh department. But I have cottage cheese, and some frozen spinach. Hmm. You've got me thinking!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jan, I got some spinach to try with mine tonight. I wanted something more than the basil.

      One note I'll add - I used grape tomatoes but I think plum would have tasted better with the basil.

      Delete
  5. Great job Cate. I love those quick and easy meals.

    ReplyDelete