Cook’s Corner Recipe: Whole-Grain Shells with Goat Cheese & Walnuts

 

 

 

Servings: 6 Main Dish Servings

Ingredients:

1. 1/2 Cup walnuts chopped
2. 2 cloves garlic chopped
3. 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
4. 1 box medium whole-grain shells
5. 1 lb. frozen peas
6. 6 oz. goat cheese, softened
7. salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

• Heat covered 6-quart pot of water to boiling on high.  Add 2 teaspoons of less of salt.
• In 8 to 10 inch skillet, combine walnuts, garlic, and oil.  Cook on medium until golden and fragrant, stirring occasionally.  Stir in 1/8 teaspoon each freshly ground black pepper.
• Add pasta to boiling water in pot.  Cook 1 minute less than minimum time that label directs, stirring occasionally.
• Add peas; cook 1 minute longer. Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water.  Drain pasta and peas; return to pot.  Add goat cheese, 1/2 cup cooking water, 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper.  If mixture is dry, toss with additional cooking water. 
• To serve top with garlic-and-walnut mixture.

Nutritional Analysis:

430 calories, 20g pro, 59 g carbohydrate, 15g total fat, 5g sat fat, 9g fiber 13mg cholesterol, 350 mg sodium

Source: Good Housekeeping; March 2011.