Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Ready For Spring, Stuck In Winter

Last week, we were still stuck in winter with drenching rains and high winds. Easter was a washout and Easter Monday was spotty with squalls. We are ready for the return of our dependable sunshine, thank you very much!

Here's a winter dinner with a touch of spring - vermicelli with fresh Swiss chard added. It was simple to make, quick and filling. The Swiss chard came from my inexhaustible plants out in the garden, the vermicelli and canned tomatoes from the pantry.

All you do is sauté some chopped onion and minced garlic in the same pan where you browned slices of Italian sausage (mine were fully cooked already so it took just minutes), add a can of chopped tomatoes and about half a can of white wine, raid the herb garden (or the spice jars) for oregano, crushed red pepper, yadda, and simmer it all together for about 15 minutes. While it melds into a lovely sauce, boil the pasta and drain it, adding it to the rest of the ingredients and tossing it around to soak up all those lovely flavors. At the last minute, add about six sliced leaves of Swiss chard, just long enough to wilt them. A block of ParmReg at the table with a grater and everyone gets the amount of cheese they favor.

Do not begin screaming if the cheese reminds you of snow and that reminds you that it's still winter when you are yearning for spring.


Labels:

7 Comments:

Blogger Louis la Vache said...

DELICIOUS!

Tuesday, April 06, 2010  
Blogger meathenge said...

I eat winter food all year 'round, no complaints from me!

xo, Biggles

Tuesday, April 06, 2010  
Blogger cookiecrumb said...

I love tossing the pasta into the sauce and finishing it on the stove.
Beautiful dish, and with your homegrown greens.

Tuesday, April 06, 2010  
Blogger Ms Brown Mouse said...

Yum, and it's beginning to be the weather for it thank goodness! I love italian sausage on pasta, just love it.

Tuesday, April 06, 2010  
Blogger Nancy Ewart said...

No screaming here either. Sausage, pasta - good all year around (except during a heat wave). On the other hand - grilled sausage with a cold pasta salad and a glass of cheer when the temperatures rise.
Not bad at all.

Tuesday, April 06, 2010  
Blogger Zoomie said...

Louis, yes, it really was - and so easy!

Rev. Biggles, no, you eat summer food all year 'round. xo

Cookiecrumb, I learned that technique from Lidia Bastianich - she's quietly brilliant.

Morgan, I think they were made for each other, like you and Mr. Brown.

Nancy, I was more than ready for the rain to end but, you're right, we can enjoy this combo for most of the year.

Wednesday, April 07, 2010  
Blogger cookiecrumb said...

Hah! I confess, I learned it from Lidia too. Sigh... xo

Wednesday, April 07, 2010  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home