Love for Food

Mario Batali's new cookbook is meant for the average cook at home, and says so much in it's name - Molto Gusto: Easy Italian Cooking. Molto Gusto is everything a good cookbook should be. This book has big bold pictures with short simple instructions. A lot of the recipes are very simple and almost seem obvious. However, having a trick or two mentioned can make the difference of a dish flop or success. I choose the summer squash pasta to try since it was something a little different. I've been tired of the traditional tomato sauce. The dish was easy and hassle free to make. I used very good parm but it was otherwise cheap to make. The cheese adds yumminess but packs on the calories and fat. The mint adds a little something unique and summery. I would make this again. My only caveat is that it tastes best served right away and does not make for great leftovers.Ingredients: Serves Six
1 cup ricotta
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano, plus extra for serving
1 pound summer squash or zucchini, cut length wise in half and sliced in 1/3 inch thick half moons
1 pound pennette pasta
6 tablespoons coarsely chopped mint
salt/pepper

Method:

• Bring 6 quarts of water to boil in a large pt and add salt
• Whisk ricotta and 3 tablespoons of olive oil, add parmigiana and mix together (add a bit of water if too thick)
• Heat the remaining three tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the squash and cook, stirring, until just tender. About five to ten minutes. Season with salt.
• Cook pasta and cook until al dente, reserving about 1/3 cup of the pasta water.
• Add the pasta, pasta water, and squash and cook over medium heat for two minutes.
• Stir in the mint and serve. Top each serving with a dollop of the ricotta mixture.
  

Nutrition Facts: Amount Per Serving
Calories 483.1
Total Fat 19.5 gSaturated Fat 5.2 gPolyunsaturated Fat 1.6 gMonounsaturated Fat 11.0 gCholesterol 42.4 mgSodium 89.2 mgPotassium 356.8 mgTotal Carbohydrate 61.7 gDietary Fiber 2.5 gSugars 2.5 gProtein 17.6 g

Weight Watcher Points: 11 per serving