Pasta al' Tonno

Hi! I hope you are enjoying the changes to the blog. Having a good week so far? Mine is going swell compared to last week. I leaned that it is possible to put too many cubes in my Scentsy...talk about fumigation. Ooof. Just a wee bit of a nugget ache. NBD.

I have resumed my "Little White Dress Healthy Lifestyle Plan" and am getting back in the routine of Supreme 90 workouts. It would figure that my first workout back at it was the tabata inferno. In case you aren't familiar with this workout, it translates exactly to: 'high intensity interval training HELL' and I think that pretty well sums it up. Yes, according to wikipedia, inferno is Italian for hell. I think that it is appropriately titled.

So, my parents are keeping Mouser for a few weeks since I've been so busy. I don't like to neglect my fur-baby by leaving her home alone all the time, but I really miss her. I was eating popcorn the other night and let me tell you now, I am THE messiest popcorn eater you will ever meet. I grab handfuls and throw it at my mouth, hoping at least a few will make it in. Elmer is usually right there to help me clean up. It dawned on me about halfway through the bag with a quarter of the popcorn on the floor that she wasn't there. I had to get out the broom for that mess. She would have had a hay-day.

On top of that, the Viper Pilot has been insanely busy this week. They got to fly with some F/A-18s and I'm pretty sure he enjoyed the heck out of that. He sounded like a giddy 5-year-old talking about it. He's been putting in 14+ hour days lately. He hasn't complained once, but I know he's worn out and tired. However, the long days mean he has to come home and go right to bed. I have hardly spoken to him.

I'm in Elle-and-Viper-Pilot-withdrawal.

Okay, sad. Let's talk about something else.

The other night, I threw together a healthy twist to tuna casserole. I've been at the Columbus house for 5 days in the past month, so there is NO food here. I ate brown rice for lunch yesterday. So I didn't have much to work with when I decided to spice things up for dinner.

I rounded up what I did have...

And this happened...

Pasta 'al Tonno
adapted from my nugget

• 8 oz 100% whole wheat spaghetti (can use any pasta)
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 Tbsp olive oil, divided
• 1 (6 oz) can tuna, drained
• salt to taste
• ground black pepper to taste
• 4 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley (I had to use parsley flakes...but I recommend fresh)
• 1/4 cup kalamata olives, pitted 
• Crushed red pepper
• Fresh Parmesan cheese, grated

In a large pot, cook spaghetti with a teaspoon of olive oil in boiling water until al dente. 

Meanwhile, in a skillet over medium heat, saute the minced garlic in 2 Tbsp of olive oil until it begins to give off its aroma and is slightly brown. Add the can of tuna and let cook on medium heat for about 6 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste, cooked pasta, and toss. Turn burner to high heat and add remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. 

Place the pasta in a large serving bowl and toss with the fresh parsley, grated Parmesan cheese, and crushed red pepper. Serve immediately. 

This is a classic, easy Italian dish which takes just minutes to prepare. I wouldn't put it top of the list for your weekend dinner, but it definitely works well for a school night. It really is as easy as opening a can of tuna. The tuna, of course, is key. At a minimum, use tuna fish packed in olive oil. "Light" tuna packed in spring water {and the like} will result in a mundane, rather insipid dish, no matter what you're making. I would also suggest adding capers to the dish - just remember to rinse and squeeze them dry. 

Please pardon the large chunks of Parmesan. I can't find my cheese grater and ended up having to use the potato peeler. It worked, but it looks goofy. Heh...heh...

Cheers!