No Cream - No Cry Penne Alla Vodka

Since my entry about my favorite cookbooks, it has become official.  I am in love with my Rocco DiSpirito Now Eat This cookbook!  And not just because it is filled with full page-sized photos of its drool-worthy author (that's just an added bonus)... it's full of healthier versions of the foods we all want to eat, but the mere thought of consuming the associated calories makes us want to cry.  Mac n' cheese?  Rocco's got it!  Brownies?  You betcha!  Burgers?  Absolutely!  One of my favorites and closest to the real thing I've tried from this book so far is the No Cry - No Cream Penne Alla Vodka.  It is SO GOOD.  Brian claims he wasn't its biggest fan (I'm pretty sure he's just jealous of my crush on Rocco), but I loved it.  Personally, I'd never guess there was no cream in it if I hadn't seen it made with my own eyes!  I present to you, ladies and gentlemen...


No Cream - No Cry Penne Alla Vodka
(From Now Eat This)
Serves 4

• 8 ounces whole- wheat penne
• 2 cups low fat marinara sauce
• Pinch of crushed red pepper
• One 7-ounce container 2% Greek yogurt
• 1 cup chopped fresh basil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 6 tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions, about 9 minutes; drain.

While the pasta is cooking, bring the marinara sauce and crushed red pepper to a simmer in a large nonstick saute pan over medium heat. Cook the sauce, stirring it occasionally with a heat-resistant rubber spatula, until it is slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove the saute pan from the heat.

Stir about 1/2 cup of the marinara sauce into the yogurt until smooth (this tempers it and prevents the yogurt from curdling). Then whisk the yogurt mixture back into the marinara sauce.

In a large serving bowl, toss the sauce with the drained penne and the basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle the cheese on top, and serve.

Fat: 4.8 g
Calories: 320
Protein: 18 g
Carbohydrates: 55 g
Cholesterol: 11 mg
Fiber: 6 g
Sodium: 416 mg

MIA

Sorry I haven't posted anything in a while, guys!  I've been sickly for the past week or so, and haven't had the energy to write anything good.  I'll make a good post soon, promise!!!