Fennel, Pepper and Onion Fusilli…

On our little “road trip” to Arizona last week I had 6 hours of free time on my hands to make some grocery lists and menu plans for the up-coming weeks!  The hubs said he’d blame me for any extra unwanted pounds because the more I rambled about food, the more he snacked!!  In any case, we had fun brainstorming with each other and I came up with this dish which ended up being a hit with the whole family.

Fennel, Pepper, and Onion Fusilli (gluten free)

Yields 4-6 servings

Ingredients:

Sea Salt and Pepper

1 lb. brown rice fusilli

2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus more for serving

2 Tbsp Earth Balance (or butter)

1 tsp fennel seeds

1 bulb fennel-quartered, cored and sliced

1 onion, quartered lengthwise and sliced crosswise

1 small red pepper, seeded and sliced

3-4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

1 can (28oz.) italian plum tomatoes

1/2 cup fresh basil, torn

grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Directions:

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add a little salt, add the pasta and cook until al dente.  Drain, reserving a ladleful of the pasta cooking water.

While the pasta is cooking, in a large skillet, heat 2 Tbsp EVOO and the Earth Balance over medium-high heat.  Stir in the fennel seeds for one minute.  Add the fennel, onion, pepper and garlic; season with salt and pepper.  Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.  Stir in the tomatoes and basil.  Lower the heat and simmer until thickened, about 20 minutes.  Stir in the reserved pasta cooking water.

Toss the pasta with the sauce,  Top with cheese and a little more EVOO (optional).  Enjoy!

The fennel, pepper, onion and garlic simmering on the stove!

Oh! How sweet it is!  A flavor combination worth talking about!  Fennel is a great source of Vitamin C, fiber and folate, just to name a few!  Check out these other great health benefits and nutrients you can get from a fennel.

I fixed the hubs’ plate of pasta alongside some kale salad and baked chicken with a cracker-pretzel topping.  His second helping would tell me that he liked it….even the kale salad made a second appearance on his plate!

T-minus 3 days and counting until our 5k run!  I finally finished the design for our shirts…now to just come up with some creative names for the hubs and I to sport on our shirts. 

I made an extra shirt for our niece, Trinity…

And today we’re sending it off to Idaho!  I’m praying it will arrive before Saturday!

The backside…”Taking every step in life for the Lord and running every step of this race for sweet Trin!”

Now the princesses and I are off to enjoy this beautiful Spring day! 

Blessings,

J’lene