Eats: Spicy Veggie Pasta

10:09 PM

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Okay so this meal was an event and a half! I had everything all cooked and ready, when I somehow managed to drop the entire pot of cooked noodles, slipped, and landed in a puddle of hot water and said noodles. At least this meal came out really good!

When Kyle and I were at the store Sunday night, I was a little exasperated trying to figure out our dinners for the week. We have been eating a lot of chicken and fish, so I didn't want to get that. There is a giant salmonella outbreak on ground turkey so that was just not going to happen, and the 5+ years working at McDonalds has sworn me off of beef for life so...I decided to pick up some veggie protein and make a pasta!

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As you can see, this is another one of those meals where I take a basic premix and add my own style to it. What you will need:

-Box of noodles (I used spiral veggie-noodles)
-Tomato sauce (I use two jars, and apparently two brands)
-1 package Sausage veggie protein
-Onion
-Garlic
-Red & Yellow peppers
-Grape tomatoes
-Basil
-Cayenne pepper
-Black pepper
-Season salt
-Celery salt
-Extra virgin olive oil

Start by chopping all of the veggies, garlic & onion, I added some summer squash since we have an insane amount of it growing in our garden, place in a bowl to the side. Slice the grape tomatoes in half, I used about a cup.  Next, empty sauce in a pot over low-warm heat stirring occasionally. When it is all warm, add the basil & tomatoes, cayenne pepper & black pepper to taste. Cover, set to low and stir occasionally.

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Next heat up a skillet or pan with a little olive oil. Here is where it got a little tricky, I had never cooked veggie protein before and I was not sure how to cut it up. It is pretty thick, and did not break apart like beef so I decided to just cook up chunks of it with a little of the season salt, cayenne pepper and black pepper over a medium-high heat. After the sides began to brown, I added all of the veggies and a little celery salt and a little more cayenne pepper. Next I boiled the water for the noodles and threw them in.

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After the veggies are cooked, but still crispy, turn off the heat. Drain the noodles and place in a bowl, top with lots of sauce & veggie/veggie protein. Kyle and I devoured this, which surprised me. I thought Kyle might not like it, but it tasted like a soft sausage and of course we like our food spicy! So yeah, not a real recipe by any means but just a little meal that can be made very quickly. I am hoping to share a homemade recipe for tomato sauce soon as our tomatoes are finally coming in yay! I seriously love our little garden, I have been excited to cook meals, even if it just quick little easy fixes like this.

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22 Musings

  1. ellieAugust 11, 2011 at 10:12 PM

    Yikes about that hot pot! Looks yummy!

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  2. ivy's closetAugust 11, 2011 at 10:14 PM

    I love your adventures in cooking!

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  3. lucy and sarahAugust 11, 2011 at 10:15 PM

    This looks soooo good!

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  4. nyngaAugust 11, 2011 at 10:21 PM

    Om nom nom. This looks really good.

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  5. FWBAugust 11, 2011 at 10:29 PM

    This must have been scary about the noodles. Looks so good.

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  6. caitlin and meganAugust 11, 2011 at 10:37 PM

    I love how you made the sauce. So fresh!

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  7. StephanieAugust 11, 2011 at 10:37 PM

    I'll have to try out the recipe next week.
    Backyard gardens are awesome. Right now we have bucketfuls of grapes. Might have to make something out of them.

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  8. UnknownAugust 11, 2011 at 10:51 PM

    Oh goodness, that looks delicious! I'm always trying to find healthy but tasty dinners and this sounds perfect!
    Sorry about your fall though!

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  9. NANCYXOAugust 12, 2011 at 12:42 AM

    makes me crave carrots! =]

    nancyxo

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  10. Courtney ErinAugust 12, 2011 at 7:14 AM

    I've got to try this!

    xoxo ~ Courtney
    http://sartorialsidelines.com

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  11. JulAugust 12, 2011 at 9:11 AM

    Mmmmh! Looks so tasty :) good job!

    http://lifeisaromanticpoem.blogspot.com/

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  12. GabrielleAugust 12, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    That looks AMAZING! Thanks for sharing!
    Gabrielle

    www.projectpaperie.blogspot.com

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  13. Cafe FashionistaAugust 12, 2011 at 9:52 AM

    I typically don't like anything spicy; but this looks SCRUMMY! :)

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  14. ShybikerAugust 12, 2011 at 10:15 AM

    Mmm... this is just the kind of food I eat all the time. Looks delicious!

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  15. LyndseyAugust 12, 2011 at 10:19 AM

    omg this looks SO yummy!! I definitely need to try it!
    <3
    lyndsey of hellolyndsey

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  16. jardelleAugust 12, 2011 at 10:31 AM

    wooow really yummy...followed you

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  17. Marisa NoelleAugust 12, 2011 at 11:01 AM

    Ok, this looks amazingly scrumptious! Would you believe, for as Italian as I am and all the pasta I've consumed in my lifetime, I've actually never made (or had) a veggie pasta dish like this. This is I am definitely going to try. Haha, that same ordeal happened to me once when I made pad thai...I dropped the whole pan of noodles on the floor before my guests arrived for dinner...luckily I didn't slip though. I ended up ordering pad thai take out instead b/c I just couldn't salvage the dish. Glad you didn't actually get hurt though:) Have a good weekend!! xx Marisa

    oh and..I worked at McD's too...when I was 15 and I only lasted for 8 months! It's pretty brutal. I can't imagine how you lasted for so long.

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  18. Oh to Be a MuseAugust 12, 2011 at 1:55 PM

    the veggie protein looks amazing and it's great that it tastes like sausage but is better for you. love this recipe!

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  19. AnonymousAugust 12, 2011 at 8:35 PM

    Heaven!!! :]
    OMG, girl! I'm proud of you for keeping it healthy haha.

    I shall add this page to my favorites since I'm a vegetarian and this looks so yummy!

    Have a rockin weekend!

    xoxo, Bree

    http://vivalabreee.blogspot.com/

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  20. TheresaAugust 13, 2011 at 2:11 PM

    This looks delicious! I may very well have to try this out next time I cook! xx

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  21. Opal WellsAugust 13, 2011 at 2:43 PM

    oh, this looks so amazing! you're lucky you didn't get seriously burned.

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  22. UnknownAugust 14, 2011 at 3:26 PM

    Omg that is kinda funny that you slipped in the noodles. :) I cook "violently" so I'm surprised I haven't done this too myself.

    Looks so good Sarah. ohh can't wait to see your recipe for homemade tomato sauce!

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Talk nerdy to me.