How To Make Pasta Primavera With The Microwave Gourmet

How To Make Pasta Primavera With The Microwave Gourmet

Typically a time-intensive dish, pasta primavera has been given the Microwave Gourmet treatment by chef Barbara Kafka. Now it's easy to prepare pasta primavera in about a half-hour.

You Will Need:

• 1 Tbsp butter
• ½ cups (120ml) crushed tomatoes or basic tomato sauce
• ½ cups (120ml) heavy cream
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium clove garlic , minced
• 1 pinch hot red pepper
• 1 Tbsp parsley
• 150 g spaghetti or spaghettini
• ½ sliced zucchini
• 4 asparagus spears
• 50 g sliced mushrooms
• 12 medium broccoli florets
• 110 g green beans
• ½ chopped bell pepper
• salt, pepper and parmesan to taste
• 1 cutting board
• 1 chopping knife
• 2 microwaveable measuring cups or bowls
• 1 microwave-safe plastic wrap

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Step 1:

Make The Cream Sauce

Put butter in a microwavable measuring cup or bowl and add the cream. Cover and cook in the microwave for 3 minutes.

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Step 2:

Make The Tomato Sauce

Combine crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce with garlic, olive oil, parsley, and small pinch of hot pepper. Cover and cook in microwave for 1 minute.

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Step 3:

Boil The Pasta

Boil pasta on the stovetop for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Do not overcook.

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Step 4:

Assemble And Cook The Vegetables

Arrange vegetables in a microwavable pie plate so that the densest ones are on the outside: First the broccoli, then string beans, zucchini, asparagus, with mushrooms and peppers in a mound in the middle. Cover completely with plastic and microwave for 5 minutes. After cooking, puncture the plastic and carefully let steam escape. Do not let the plastic touch the food. Vegetables should be brightly colored and tender.

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Step 5:

Combine Ingredients

Combine cooked pasta in a large bowl with both sauces and Parmesan if desired. Toss. Add the vegetables on top and toss again. Serve piping hot.