Bon appetito! Italian pasta, risotto, and polenta not only deliver complex carbs. They’re also perfect partners for a colorful array of veggies, fiber-rich legumes, and small portions of meat, poultry, and fish. The fat? Mostly heart-healthier monounsaturated olive oil. For an Italian-style flavor today:
- Add fagioli (white beans) to minestrone soup or pasta sauce.
- Prepare arborio (short-grain) rice with sauteed vegetables, cooked shrimp, or grated cheese.
- Try this easy Italian-inspired snack!
Easy Bruschetta
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 cup diced tomato
- 8 fresh basil leaves, sliced thin in strips, or 2 teaspoons dried basil
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 large ready-to-eat pizza crust (or similar bread)*
Preheat oven to 375°F. Toss together cheese, garlic, tomato, basil, salt, and pepper. Spread mixture on top of pizza crust. Place on baking sheet, and bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Cut into slices and serve immediately. Makes 4 to 6 servings.
*For more fiber, use whole-wheat crust, bread, or pita.
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