Pasta Primavera for Two

It is spring-time in GA, at least for this Northeast native. The flowers are blooming, pollen is everywhere, and the produce in the markets looks amazing. I know I posted this recipe earlier this year, but I reduced the recipe to fit a dinner for two. Also, I used half and half rather than light cream, and I am happy to report the sauce still ended up creamy and rich. Serve with a small side salad for a delicious, veggie-packed dinner.

Pasta Primavera for 2
PointsPlus Value per serving: 8
330 Calories, 7 grams fat

Ingredients
6 medium baby carrots, cut into spears
1/2 small zucchini, sliced
1/2 small yellow summer squash, sliced
1/3 cup canned green peas
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tbsp white wine
1/4 cup half-and-half cream
2 Tbsp parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tsp fresh lemon juice
4 oz uncooked whole-wheat pasta

Instructions
-Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot.
-Add carrots; cook 3 minutes.
-Remove with a slotted spoon.
-Add pasta to boiling water; cook according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain.**
-Spray large nonstick skillet with PAM and heat over medium-high heat. Add both types of squash and the mushrooms; sauté 3 minutes.
-Add carrots, peas, salt, pepper, and garlic; sauté 2 minutes.
-Stir in wine, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Allow to reduce for 5 minutes.**
-Stir in lemon juice; cook 1 minute.
-Stir in Half and Half and cheese, let cook 1 minute.
-Turn off heat, add pasta, stir well to coat.


** Note: You can make this sauce ahead of time, but I would recommend the following two modifications:

1) Do not cook the pasta until right before you are serving the dish. Otherwise the pasta will suck up all of the sauce and you will have a very dry pasta dish.

2) Prepare the recipe and STOP once you have added the wine and reduced the sauce. Store the sautéed veggies and the wine sauce in a sealed container in the fridge. On the night you are serving, heat the veggies and wine sauce up in a large pan, and then add the cream, parmesan, lemon juice, basil and parsley. You will end up with a much more creamy dish.

Healthy meals to nourish your mind.