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I feel like I needed to do a post after the first post from today (It’s amazing how one simple  complex change can make you feel ten times better.)

Today I disable email on my phone and didn’t check fb, twitter, or emails (besides work) for eight hours and it felt good.  At lunch, I came home, made up some spring rolls, sat outside and read (leaving my computer behind at work.)  Even when I did check it my brain instantly signaled that I didn’t want to linger. (If you want to catch up as to why this important, click here.)

Instead I took an extra long walk with the dog, walked to work (it’s marvelous outside), practiced piano, read a couple chapters from Beethoven’s biography, made a coffee stout bundt cake, and mowed the lawn (on top of classes, lessons, and rehearsal.)  I know it’s only the first day but dang, I feel good.  I’ve been getting tired around 11 am and I’ve blamed the slight bought of anemia I’ve had, but honestly, I think it was how much I was on the computer and not focused.  I can’t tell you how many times I thought, “oh I’ll just check this or oh I’ll just tweet that” but then, it felt good not to.

Now I’m sitting outside, with a glass of wine, feeling highly accomplished.

So accomplished that I felt I wanted to share this recipe with you.

I’ve already received two wonderful gallon bags of spinach from the csa and when you’re a family of one, you start finding ways to add spinach to everything.  However, I really wanted a dish that would showcase just the spinach (as I feel it sometimes gets shoved back as an “extra.”)  This red spinach has such a lovely flavor that it’s a shame to hide it!

I don’t think you can get an easier than pasta with a little melted butter and spinach.  I don’t even cook the spinach but rather toss it with the melted butter and warm pasta- you keep more nutrients and I think it taste better!  I also am using rosemary I dried from last summer (which I think has better flavor than the dried from the store- so you may want to go with fresh!)

If you are running short on time you can always use store bought pasta but I think that the hearty whole wheat helps make the dish.  I’ve opted to stop using my kitchen aid attachment to make pasta (for the time being) to hopefully show everyone how easy it is (and you don’t need any special equipment.)  You can also watch my ravioli video that shows the first few steps!

Spinach and Homemade Pasta with Garlic Butter Sauce
 
Prep time

Cook time

Total time

 

Author:
Recipe type: Vegetarian Main Course
Serves: 2

Ingredients
  • ¾ cup flour
  • 1 egg
  • 1½ tablespoons water
  • pinch salt
  • a couple handfuls of spinach
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 2 teaspoons dried rosemary, crushed

Instructions
  1. Combine whole wheat flour and salt on a clean surface. Make a well, add egg and water. Using a fork, whisk egg and slowly begin to incorporate flour.
  2. Continue to incorporate flour and a paste will soon form. Continue to mix (eventually ditching the fork for your hands) and knead dough into a smooth ball.
  3. Let sit for 20-30 minutes.
  4. Roll out dough to as thin as you can still handle. Using a knife or a pizza cutter (classy, I know), cut strips of pasta. You can also use a pasta roller/maker (which makes this easier.)
  5. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Toss pasta in and let cook for 3-4 minutes, pasta should rise to the top.
  6. Melt butter in sauce pan. Add in garlic and rosemary, cooking until garlic is fragrant. Toss with freshly cooked pasta and spinach. Let cook for a minute or two until spinach just begins to wilt. Serve with a bit of grated parmesan cheese.

 

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  • http://thefigtree.blogspot.com/ Courtneyraejones

    I think you just proved how much can be accomplished if you just turn off the computer & put your phone aside. Good work! :) So glad to hear day one went well. I am impressed with all you did. It’s been ages since I practice piano. You’ve got me day dreaming about all the things I could do. Okay…signing off now. *hehe*

    • naturallyella

      At least I didn’t say I practiced it well :) I love piano but it’s always been my weak point in my music career!

  • Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar

    This is so creative! Awesome idea!

  • http://ambikaskitchen.com/ Ambika Viswanathan

    The whole wheat pasta looks so hearty and wonderful!!

  • Debra

    .Looks Delicious! You have convinced me to try making pasta. I don’t know why pasta is so intimidating to me, I make bread, biscuits, and pie crust, but pasta has always made me go stiff. I’m going to brave it. This looks too good not to.

    • naturallyella

      For a long time, I was terribly against trying to make my own pasta but once I started doing it, I loved it!

  • Margarita

    I love how simple this is… Most of the time, the simplest of foods, is the best. Isn’t it such a wonderful feeling when you get so much done in a day? Nice egg flour volcano picture!

    • naturallyella

      Thank you and yes, I think the feeling of accomplishment is the best!

  • http://www.loveandlemons.com/ Jeanine

    Such a beautiful simple pasta. Ok, you’ve convinced me, first with the ravioli and now this… I’m gonna try making my own pasta soon.

  • http://www.culinarycolleen.com/ Colleen

    I’ve never attempted making whole wheat pasta, but it looks so delicious!

  • http://twitter.com/HomeSkilletCook Jenn and Seth

    beautiful pasta dish! definitely inspiring me to break out the pasta machine that is lying stagnant in the cupboard!

  • http://www.colourfulpalate.com/ Charissa

    Beautiful and earthy! I love the simplicity of garlic, butter, and the spinach. Love it!

  • http://www.joanne-eatswellwithothers.com/ Joanne

    I’m so glad you’re feeling better! It’s amazing what a break from technology does to you. Tonight instead of staring at my computer screen (after I’m done commenting), I’m going to just lay in bed and listen to music. It’s going to be glorious! I love the simplicity and yet deliciousness of this pasta.