We all have those days when dinner needs to happen but we have zero time and even less ambition and energy.
This pasta dish is made with canned tomatoes, but you may always substitute home-canned, frozen, or fresh. Add some cooked chicken or crispy chickpeas for protein. Adjust it to fit what you’ve got at home and what you like! I might add some shrimp (at the garlic stage), fresh parsley, and Kalamata olives with a bit of feta at the end!
The Aficionado Cocktail
In a shaker, combine over ice: 1/2 oz honey simple syrup, 3/4 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice, small sprig of fresh thyme, 1 oz dry vermouth, 1 1/2 oz gin.
Shake, strain into a chilled glass, and enjoy!
Quick Pantry Pasta with Tomatoes & Herbs
Ingredients
1/2 lb short pasta or tortellini
1 onion, chopped
1–2 T minced garlic
1/2 c dry white wine or dry vermouth
2 14.5 oz cans stewed tomatoes (or diced tomatoes in juice, or equivalent)
2 T prepared pesto or chopped fresh basil OR 1 T dried basil (substitute or add any additional herbs that you love!)
grated cheese for serving
Olive oil, salt and pepper
Instructions
Heat skillet and add olive oil. When the oil is hot, add in the onions. Cook over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until translucent. Stir in the garlic and let cook another minute or so. Pour in the wine, stir, and let it reduce. Keep the heat at medium-high so it bubbles furiously.
Once the wine has reduced almost all of the way, pour in the tomatoes and juice. Chop them a bit with a flat-edged spoon or use kitchen shears to chop them while still in the can. Stir and let this mixture simmer hard until the juices have reduced by at least half.
Meanwhile, cook 1/2 pound pasta in salted water until almost tender. When the sauce has been reduced, carefully scoop the pasta into the pan. Stir it and continue to cook on medium-high until the sauce has been absorbed and the pasta is cooked. Add additional pasta water if necessary. Stir in the pesto or additional fresh herbs and taste for seasoning. Garnish with cheese and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.