Thinking Outside the Noodle – Sun-dried Tomato Fettuccine

“Thinking outside the noodle” I made another wonderfully flavored home-made fettuccine noodle – sun-dried tomato.  This pasta is infused with a subtle taste of sun-dried tomatoes that enhances many recipes.

Pasta Dough – Sun Dried Tomato Flavored

• 2-1/4 Cups Flour
• 3 Eggs
• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes
• 3-4 Tablespoons Water (as needed)
• 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
• Dash of Salt

Directions:

Put eggs, olive oil and chopped sun-dried tomatoes together in a food process or pulse until combined. Combine flour and salt in mixing bowl. Make a well in the middle of the flour.

Add to the middle well of flour the eggs and sun-dried tomato mixture, and water.  With beater attachment, beat on low for 1 minute. Switch to dough hook and knead for 6 minutes. Take dough and cover in plastic wrap and let rest for at least 10 minutes.

Split dough in half and roll each half into desired thickness and cut into fettuccine noodles.

Coming Next:  In my next post on Wednesday, discover what I made with the sun-dried tomato fettuccine!

Balsamic Asparagus with Sun Dried Tomatoes and Feta

Somehow it just doesn’t seem right to slather butter and loads of cheese on vegetables.  Isn’t that defeating the purpose of eating healthy vegetables?  It is always a challenge to find new healthy ways to cook vegetables.  I discovered this recipe and loved it.  Not only is it flavorful, but quick and easy.  I have also made it on the grill and loved it even more.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• One bunch Asparagus
• sprinkling of Feta Cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped, sun-dried Tomatoes (not packed in oil)
• 2-3 tablespoons good quality Balsamic vinegar
• salt and pepper

Trim the bottoms of your asparagus.  Quick and easy – microwave asparagus on a plate with a few tablespoons of water, covered with a paper towel, for a couple of minutes.  Be careful not to overcook.  My personal favorite – drizzle asparagus with olive oil and grill.

To finish, top with balsamic vinegar and other ingredients, season with salt and pepper as desired and serve.

 Source:  adapted from dailycrave.wordpress.com