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We eagerly anticipate the coming of summer. This is for obvious reasons as living in Alberta, Canada during the winter can be harsh. We appreciate the longer days, more sunlight, warmer temperatures and a chance to shed our winter layers. Less obvious maybe, we look forward to fresh ingredients to cook with. We grow quite a bit on our balcony. Kale, spinach, lettuce, tomatoes and herbs to name a few. One of our favorite things to do is to whip up a summer fresh herb pasta sauce flavored with our fresh herb collection.
The sauce base
This is a quick, easy summer dinner recipe. We use plain canned tomatoe sauce to make it a speedy supper. The key is to let the herbs simmer in the sauce for at least 20 minutes. The sauce is naturally gluten free.
The seasoning
I start by sauteing garlic and shallot in some olive oil. We opt for shallot over onion as it gives a nice, mild flavor that doesn’t overpower the delicate herb flavor. Once they are golden, I add the tomato sauce. The fresh herbs are added at this point. We like to use parsley, chives, oregano, basil and thyme. Like I mentioned earlier, the key is then to let the herbs simmer in the tomatoe sauce over low heat. Stir occasionally and simmer for at least 20 minutes.
The pasta
In order to make it a gluten friendly dinner, we serve our homemade sauce over a pasta made from brown rice or quinoa. I prefer these to the gluten free pasta made from corn or white rice, as they are more nutrient dense and a healthier choice overall.
Summer Fresh Herb Pasta Sauce
Ingredients:
- 1 shallot minced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh oregano chopped
- large can tomatoe sauce (680ml)
- 1 tbsp fresh basil chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh parsely chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh chives chopped
Instructions:
Heat oil in a deep fry pan. Once it is hot, add the shallot and garlic. Saute until golden and fragrant. Turn heat down to low and add the tomatoe sauce. Add all the herbs as well as salt and pepper. Let simmer on low heat at least 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Top cooked pasta with your fresh sauce and a sprinkle of shaved parmesean. Enjoy! For another great vegetarian recipe, check out our Jalapeno Hummuse post here.