Last week, I had one of my Delta Gamma advisees over for dinner to discuss our plans for the 2012 new member season. I wanted to serve her something warm and inviting and perfectly home cooked. I remember missing home cooked food so much in college. However, I needed to keep my weight watchers goals in mind. I went back and forth on what to make before settling on a BLT pasta and a big salad. Weight watchers and BLT pasta, you're asking! Why, yes. It's possible. Below is the original recipe with my changes in parenthesis...
- 12 slices of bacon, divided (six slices of lean center cut bacon - Whole Foods butchers can help you get the leanest slices available)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2-14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 12 oz uncooked linguine pasta (I used whole wheat bowtie pasta)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup loosely packed fresh parsley, chopped (I used basil from my dad's garden)
- 4 oz cream cheese (I used 1/3 less fat)
- 1 oz Parmesan cheese, grated
- Halved grape tomatoes (1 pint)
Slice the bacon cross wise into strips. Cook in a large skillet with high sides for 8-9 minutes, or until crisp. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels. Drain skillet, leaving 1 tbsp of bacon drippings in the skillet.
Place broth and diced tomatoes in a large bowl. Microwave, covered, on high for 6-8 minutes or until hot. Return skillet to heat and add onion and red pepper flakes. Saute for 2-3 minutes or until tender. Add garlic and cook for 10-20 seconds. Add broth mixture, pasta, salt and half of the cooked bacon. Simmer covered for 9-10 minutes or until pasta is almost cooked by still firm. Stir occasionally.
Remove skillet from heat and add cubed cream cheese, grape tomatoes and parsley, reserving 1 tbsp of parsley for garnish. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes or until pasta is tender and sauce is thickened. Serve with remaining bacon, grated Parmesan cheese and reserved parsley.
That looks amazing! Thanks for sharing- that's going on my recipe rotation very very soon :)
ReplyDeleteYum - do you have the WW points value for this?? Thanks for sharing, i'll be making this as soon as my tomatoes are ripe!!!
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