Thursday, August 25, 2011

FESTONI WITH ARTICHOKE PESTO AND TOMATOES~ Easy 30 Minute Meal


I didn't feel like cooking today. I know I have a Menu Plan, but that is what it is... a plan and not a command.
I just wasn't feeling it! And I really don't care for take-out.

Today was "errand day" and I was all over the county and the mall. UGH! I so dislike the mall. I feel like it sucks the life out of me, so by the time I am done at the mall I am exhausted.

As a little reward to look forward to my last stop was HomeGoods. That perked me up a little.

I LOVE the gourmet food section at HomeGoods! While looking at the pink Himalayan salt and the Spanish olive oil, I was struck with an idea for a post and dinner!

It is amazing what you can find to whip together in the gourmet section of those "discount" stores! Today I found a big bag of festoni for $3.99. Wider than fettuccine with beautiful ruffled edges, this pasta was dried in little bundles that looked like nests. I used just half the bag and had enough for 4 servings. Quite a bargain... a very delicious and beautiful bargain.



I also picked up a jar of Artichoke Pesto.  I always have a small collection in my pantry of tasty jarred gourmet concocions.



Using half of a bag of frozen artichokes, a handful of cherry and grape tomatoes from my garden along with some basil, here is what I threw together. This dinner took as long to prepare as it took the pasta to cook... under 30 minutes!


Pasta With Artichoke Pesto and Tomatoes
1/2 large bag of Festoni or other gourmet pasta
1 jar of Artichoke pesto
1/2 bag frozen artichokes
12-15 small tomatoes
olive oil
kosher salt
basil, chopped
Parmesan Cheese (optional)
Kalamata olives (didn't have any, but if I did they would be delicious in this)
Add-in's (I had some grilled onions and red peppers in the frig and used them)

Cook pasta according to instructions and drain.

Meanwhile, put 1 TBS olive oil in a small skillet and heat over medium high heat. Add artichokes and cook until slightly brown, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and cook until the they burst and deflate a little, about 5-7 minutes.

When pasta is done put it in a large bowl. Add the jar of Artichoke Pesto and mix. Add artichokes and tomatoes. Mix. If needed add a little more olive oil or a little pasta water. Add cheese or other add-in's and mix. 

Plate. Sprinkle with chopped basil.


Use this recipe as a formula to make a no fuss meal. Add some crusty bread and you have a meal for a crowd!


Keeping great ingredients on hand to pull out when you don't feel like making a big involved dinner or when you just don't know what to cook is just plain smart!!!!

Putting a great meal on the table in under 30 minutes (more like 20) that is economical, delicious, beautiful and good for you is a much better alternative than take-out or fast food! 

Shop the gourmet aisle of your favorite discount store and bring home dinner!


Printable Recipe


I am participating in:
~FOODIE FRIDAY at Designs By Gollum


30 comments:

  1. Linda @ A La CarteAugust 25, 2011 at 6:51 PM

    This looks so yummy! I love pasta and this looks so easy. I printed this recipe!
    hugs,
    Linda

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  2. MelissaAugust 25, 2011 at 6:51 PM

    What a great dinner idea! I have seen food items in stores like Home Goods and World Market, but have never tried them... now I will!

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  3. The enchanted homeAugust 25, 2011 at 7:04 PM

    Looks and sounds heavnly good. Wow...really up my alley. I have gotten some amazing recipes from you. I tried one of the chowders the other day and give it an A++++!!

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  4. Shannon@Cozy Home ScenesAugust 25, 2011 at 7:08 PM

    Yvonne, this pasta dish looks delicious. I love all the ingredients in it. I like easy but scrumptious food.
    Shannon

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  5. BabsAugust 25, 2011 at 7:29 PM

    Pasta is one of my favorite foods and yours looks and sounds wonderful. I usually don't spend a lot of time in the gourmet section at Homegoods.I'm always wondering if things will be of good quality in those jars, but I'm going to check it out next time I go. Thanks for tip and the great recipe.

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  6. Barbara F.August 25, 2011 at 7:31 PM

    Yvonne, I love the gourmet food section in HomeGoods and have bought very unusual and sometimes very colorful pastas, as well as oils and Grade B maple syrup which I love and it is hard to find. Delicious recipe. xo,

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  7. LynnAugust 25, 2011 at 7:43 PM

    Looks beautiful and yummy Yvonne! Always good to have quick choices available, plans change all the time:@)

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  8. podsoAugust 25, 2011 at 8:09 PM

    This is my kind of cooking! In fact I just prepared a post somewhat similar except I shopped my pantry. Great photos and rest up from that mall. I feel the same way, totally drained!

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  9. KarenAugust 25, 2011 at 8:27 PM

    That looks mighty tasty !!
    I love spur-of-the-moment cooking...

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  10. Kim @ Savvy Southern StyleAugust 25, 2011 at 8:54 PM

    I wish you would come be my gourmet cook. Everything you do looks so good.

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  11. Pinky at Designs by PinkyAugust 25, 2011 at 8:57 PM

    JOe will love this! He likes PASTA any way you prepare it! Thanks so much. Now REST! That's an order:):):) XO, P

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  12. KathleenAugust 25, 2011 at 9:14 PM

    I had to come see what festoni was as I never heard of it!
    Home Goods is a good reward after a day of errands!
    And yes, only if you feel like it! We have done enough years of must dos!

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  13. SavoringTime in the KitchenAugust 25, 2011 at 10:10 PM

    I love shopping the food aisle at Home Goods and what a beautiful pasta and pasta recipe!

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  14. MariaAugust 25, 2011 at 10:26 PM

    Hi Yvonne!
    You certainly did make a colorful dish ~
    Festoni ... living up to its name in Italian ~ "a ribbon of flowers" Perfect description of this beautiful dish!
    I just recently bought a bag of regular very wide fettuccine in those little nests. It tasted almost as good as homemade noodles! I used this pasta for my parsley pesto dish...
    We're bracing ourselves for lots of rain ~ Have a wonderful weekend!
    Maria

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  15. LynneAugust 25, 2011 at 10:50 PM

    Oh my goodness! Talk about a beautiful blog! Yours is amazing! I am so pleased to meet you, Yvonne! I'm going to love popping in to visit Stone Gable!
    ~Lynne
    [w/L]

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  16. Mary Ann PickettAugust 25, 2011 at 11:36 PM

    Beautiful. But you have the fresh picked tomatoes!

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  17. under spanish mossAugust 26, 2011 at 12:23 AM

    This is a perfect meal for us right now with the hustle and bustle of homework, practices for the kids and work. 30 minutes meals...just what we need.
    Angela and Renee

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  18. Kathy S.August 26, 2011 at 12:41 AM

    Home Goods, Tuesday Morning and TJ Maxx are the best! I've just started following your blog and really enjoy it...Thanks!

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  19. The Vintage ChateauAugust 26, 2011 at 1:05 AM

    Yum! I love easy pasta dishes and picking up a few fun ingredients in the gourmet section is a great idea!

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  20. Barbara@HausDesignAugust 26, 2011 at 4:40 AM

    Artichokes, Pasta and HomeGoods - some of my favorite things. :) This looks absolutely delicious!

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  21. RettabugAugust 26, 2011 at 5:44 AM

    What a pretty & innovative impromptu meal, Yvonne! I can almost taste it.
    Martha Stewart's Living magazine had a similar pasta on the front cover...soft, thin yummy looking ripples.

    Those Robert Rothschild Farm toppings are made here in OH. Try their caramelized onions, if you see them...AWESOME as an appetizer. Also, their sun dried tomato is wonderful over cream cheese, too.

    Thanks for sharing your idea for using the artichoke pesto...I've never seen that one.

    Hugs,
    Rett

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  22. Take SixAugust 26, 2011 at 9:35 AM

    Inspiration at its finest!!! This will be our supper tonight. Thanks so much! I don't have artichokes, so will substitute some chicken!!

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  23. Decor To AdoreAugust 26, 2011 at 3:08 PM

    I've always been a bit afraid to try something from the food aisle. No longer! :)

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  24. Decor To AdoreAugust 26, 2011 at 3:08 PM

    I've always been a bit afraid to try something from the food aisle. No longer! :)

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  25. kitty@ Kitty's Kozy KitchenAugust 26, 2011 at 4:03 PM

    What a beautiful, colorful & QUICK meal! That's better than take-out any day!!

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  26. NatashaAugust 27, 2011 at 12:35 AM

    Thank goodness I'm not the only one that feels that way about having to stop off at the mall. They do drain the life out of you. My family thinks I am nuts. That dish looks soooo yummy I'm going to have to try it.

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  27. Kellie CollisAugust 27, 2011 at 1:33 AM

    Looks delicious! I like dishes that are healthy and easy to prepare. Have a beautiful weekend, Kellie xx

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  28. Sam Hoffer / My Carolina KitchenAugust 28, 2011 at 8:55 AM

    What a lovely no-fuss meal. It's always nice to have recipes like this up your sleeve. I don't care for take-out either.

    Hope Irene doesn't cross your path and that you are safe and have a lovely Sunday.
    Sam

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  29. Gypsy HeartAugust 28, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    What a great idea! I love, love trying things like this. I always head to the gourmet aisle in these stores or in grocery stores. Just a couple of items can really enhance a dish.

    Thanks so much for stopping by!
    xo
    Pat

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  30. Gypsy HeartAugust 28, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    What a great idea! I love, love trying things like this. I always head to the gourmet aisle in these stores or in grocery stores. Just a couple of items can really enhance a dish.

    Thanks so much for stopping by!
    xo
    Pat

    ReplyDelete