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?
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9 comments:

  1. Ruth Logan HerneAugust 12, 2015 at 4:37 AM

    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!!!!

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    Replies
    1. Cate NolanAugust 12, 2015 at 5:38 PM

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

      Delete
  2. KavAugust 12, 2015 at 7:07 AM

    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?

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    Replies
    1. Cate NolanAugust 12, 2015 at 5:38 PM

      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. Missy TippensAugust 12, 2015 at 11:50 AM

    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... :)

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    Replies
    1. Cate NolanAugust 12, 2015 at 5:39 PM

      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. Jan DrexlerAugust 12, 2015 at 12:08 PM

    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!

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    Replies
    1. Cate NolanAugust 12, 2015 at 5:40 PM

      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. Sandra LeesmithAugust 12, 2015 at 11:02 PM

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

    ReplyDelete

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