Mushroom & Spinach Pasta

Name: Mushroom & Spinach Pasta
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 12 oz (375 g) rotini or rigatoni or farfalle pasta; 1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil; 3 garlic cloves minced; 1 chopped onion; 1 tsp (5 mL) dried thyme; 4 cups (1 L) sliced mushrooms; 2 tbsp (30 mL) all-purpose flour; 2 cups (500 mL) Milk; 2 cups (500 mL) chopped fresh spinach; 1/2 cup (125 mL) fresh basil or fresh parsley chopped; 1 tsp (5 mL) salt; 1/2 tsp (2 mL) pepper; Freshly grated Canadian Parmesan cheese

This recipe is taken from the 2002 Milk Calendar. A delicious vegetarian dish.

Prep: 15 min
Cooking: 15 min

Yields 4 servings

Ingredients

12 oz (375 g) rotini or rigatoni or farfalle pasta
1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
3 garlic cloves minced
1 chopped onion
1 tsp (5 mL) dried thyme
4 cups (1 L) sliced mushrooms
2 tbsp (30 mL) all-purpose flour
2 cups (500 mL) Milk
2 cups (500 mL) chopped fresh spinach
1/2 cup (125 mL) fresh basil or fresh parsley chopped
1 tsp (5 mL) salt
1/2 tsp (2 mL) pepper
Freshly grated Canadian Parmesan cheese

READY FOR REWARDS?

Preparation

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain.

In large non-stick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; cook garlic, onion and thyme, stirring, for about 1 min. Add mushrooms; cook, stirring often, for about 8 min or until starting to brown. Sprinkle with flour; cook, stirring, for 1 min.

Gradually stir in milk; bring to boil and cook, stirring, for about 3 min or until thickened. Stir in spinach, basil, salt and pepper; cook just until spinach is wilted. Toss with pasta.

Serve sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.

Tips

For the Adventurous: For a unique twist add wild mushrooms with fresh mushrooms. Soak 1/2 oz (15 g) dried porcini, crimini, shiitake or oyster mushrooms in 1/2 cup (125 mL) boiling water for 20 min. Drain, reserving liquid, and chop; add with fresh mushrooms. Proceed to step 3. Stir reserved liquid from soaked mushrooms in with milk. Proceed as above.

Healthy Eating Tip: Fine folate- One serving of this recipe is an excellent source of folate. milk, spinach and pasta contain folate, a vitamin that helps produce red blood cells.