Dr. Pat’s Pasta Recipes: This Week…Tapenades

Six o’clock already? Make it “pasta night” and you’ll have a quick and easy dinner that tastes like you planned it to perfection.

Remember Danielle’s advice?…plan specific routines to make weekly menu planning easier. My problem comes on the nights when there is NO menu planned…that’s when “pasta night” really comes in handy!

Heat the water for pasta, scan the refrigerator and pantry for ingredients, then put everything together while the pasta cooks. Only take-out could be easier! I have some tasty sauces you can prepare in minutes, and this week the key ingredient comes from a jar…

Tapenades! I love these Mediterranean-style spreads in any mix of flavors. I always have a few jars on hand for appetizers to serve with crackers or crusty bread. They all can work for a quick pasta dish, but one of my favorites is Gertie’s Finest Artichoke Salsa, a flavorful mix of chopped artichoke hearts and chunky tomato. There is just enough zing to be a little bit spicy; it’s really good! Seems I’m not the only one hooked either. Mix Gertie’s with a cup of chopped tomato or tomato sauce and simmer while the pasta cooks. Add the cooked pasta and some of the reserved pasta water if needed. Top with plenty of freshly grated cheese.

Fix a salad, fill the water glasses…because this dish will be ready as soon as the pasta is al dente… That’s no time at all!

Check out Posh Gourmet.com for their wide variety of tapenades, but if you don’t want to buy a case of Gertie’s Finest Artichoke Salsa, look for it at your local Costco.

Photo from Amazon.com.

More by Dr. Pat…