Seafood Penne (GF) Pasta with Asparagus

Recipe and photo courtesy Jackie Burgmann, author of Hot at Home—The Solution for People Who Hate the Gym.

I know you will agree with me—this recipe is absolutely delicious, super healthy, versatile, quick and easy—with or without the pasta! You can have lots of fun with this basic recipe by changing it according to the ingredients you have on hand. I used a can of wild-caught, sockeye salmon in this but you can use tuna if you have it too. Shrimp or chicken works great as well. In the summer, throw in some homegrown tomatoes, mushrooms, zucchini, and fresh basil. Use a ton of veggies and very little pasta.

I like everything a little on the spicy side—for flavor and health benefits–so I added tons of fresh garlic and red pepper flakes. Or, if you want some of the healthy, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits of turmeric, add a little curry seasoning. Fresh herbs like basil, oregano, thyme or mint are also great additions—both for taste and nutrition!

I do not advocate eating pasta very often, but occasionally, gluten free, brown rice pasta is the better option–and when you cook it ‘al dente’ (firm), it is lower glycemic. This dish is every bit as delicious, though, without the pasta!  There are no real hard and fast measurements here. You can make as much or as little as you want, depending on how many people are eating and the size of everyone’s appetite.

 Ingredients
1 cup or so of brown rice penne
10-12 spears fresh raw asparagus
Sliced zucchini, red pepper, and/or sliced mushrooms (optional)
Crushed and minced fresh garlic
Raw milk Parmigiana Reggiano cheese
2 Tbsp of extra virgin olive oil
1 can or fresh, wild caught salmon, tuna, shrimp, leftover fish, or cooked chicken
Sea salt and cracked black pepper or red pepper flakes to taste
Fresh basil and (optional) chopped fresh tomato

Note: If using tuna or salmon packed in extra virgin olive oil, you can use this oil for cooking. Otherwise drain liquid and set aside. If using fresh tomatoes, toss in at end of cooking and just heat through.

Directions
Boil water, add pasta and cook according to directions. Add a small amount of extra virgin olive oil to the boiling water and boil the brown rice penne until ‘al dente’ or done, but slightly firm. Drain pasta and set aside.

While pasta is cooking, wash asparagus and break off tough bottoms.  Cut the asparagus into smaller, 1-2” pieces. If using zucchini, quarter and slice. Slice mushrooms and other veggies you are using in the dish.

In a large skillet, add extra virgin olive oil, asparagus, other vegetables, and garlic, and stir-fry over medium high heat until tender crisp–about a minute or two. Add cooked fish or meat to pan and stir gently for about a minute, until heated through. Add salt and pepper.

Serve vegetable mixture over pasta and garnish with fresh herbs, chopped tomatoes, and grated Parmigiana cheese.  Serves 2.