Pasta B-L-T

Who doesn't love a great BLT sandwich.  So in my pasta dish the BLT is bacon, leeks and tomatoes with a few extras.  This is actually a nice lite dish that has a ton of flavor.  I used grape tomatoes because they were the best at the store but you could certainly use any small tomato.  If they are a little bigger I would cut them in half.  Try not to shake the pan to much, we want the tomatoes to get brown and caramelize.  Fresh leeks are yummy but they are pretty dirty so be sure to clean them well or the dish will be gritty.  I slice the leeks up then put them in a big bowl of cold water.  The leeks will float and the dirt will sink to the bottom.  Give them a few shakes and dry them in salad spinner or on paper towels. 
So cooking is all about timing.  Getting everything ready at close to the same time but not so close that you get frazzled.  I drop the pasta just after I add the wine.  Whole wheat pasta has a bit longer cooking time than regular.  I cook the pasta 10 minutes then drain and it is ready to add to the sauce.  I make my favorite garlic bread (fresh or frozen) and cut up a couple of pieces or pulse in a food processor.   Garlic bread usually takes about 10-15 minutes so you want to have that in before you drop the pasta.  Bread is easy to keep warm in a basket with a towel over it or even put it back in the the oven.  I serve the rest of the bread alongside the pasta.  You could certainly leave the bread off the top.  It has a nice crouton feel though.

Pasta BLT
3 strips of bacon - diced
1 cup grape tomatoes
1/2 cup sliced leeks
1/4 cup white wine
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 tsp. white or red wine vinegar
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 lb spaghetti ( I use whole wheat)
1 cup fresh spinach leaves
1/4 tsp fresh thyme
1 cup of garlic bread cut up

Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until browned and crispy.  Drain bacon pieces on paper towel lined bowl and set aside.  Pour excess bacon drippings leaving 1 tbsp.

                         

Saute tomatoes over medium heat until they begin to brown (5-7 min).  Add the leeks and saute until they are wilted ( 3-5 min).  Add the wine scraping any brown bits off the bottom of the pan.  Simmer until nearly evaporated.  Add chicken broth, vinegar, red pepper flakes and thyme.  Simmer until reduced by 1/2 ( 5-7 min).  Drain pasta and add to sauce.  Add bacon and spinach.  Toss to combine everything.  Dish up and top with garlic bread crumbles.  Enjoy!

 

Your recipes!

I'm going to california for a week and I don't know if I'll have time to post new recipes.  I would love it you would help.  If anyone is making a recipe they really love, send me the recipe and a photo of the food and I'll post it here.  I would really like to try some of your favorites! 

In the mean time here is a photo of my honey and I on a dinner cruise back in march.  We were celebrating our anniversary and we had an amazing 7 course meal.  Here is a pic of our dessert.  I would love to be able to make this! 

Chocolate wheelbarrow with summer fruits