Tasty Tuesday

This pasta was easy and tasted wonderful, thanks to the fresh tomatoes.  I used half and half instead of cream.

Creamy Tomato and Spinach Fettuccine

1/2 lb fettuccine
2 TB olive oil
1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
salt & pepper
2 TB sun-dried tomatoes
1/2 cup cream
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
10 leaves basil
1 1/2 cups fresh spinach

1. Cook the fettuccine.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet.  Add the tomatoes and saute for about 3 minutes.
3. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes.  Stir and cook for another 5 minutes so the tomatoes soften.
4. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and cream, cook for another 3-5 minutes stirring occasionally.
5. Stir in the Parmesan, basil, and spinach.  Cook and stir until the spinach wilts.  Add salt and pepper to taste.
6. Mix the pasta with the sauce and top with more Parmesan.

I finally bit the bullet and made homemade barbecue sauce.  It doesn't have all the weird ingredients that commercial sauce has, although it does have ketchup which isn't the best thing.  I won't be going back to the store stuff!

Finger Lickin Good BBQ Sauce

1/2 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 TB olive oil
1 2/3 cups ketchup
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup worcestershire sauce
2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp cayenne

1. Pour olive oil in a sauce pan, and cook onion and garlic over medium heat until they are soft.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients and let simmer for 30 minutes.