Gluten Free Pasta with Pancetta, Tomatoes, and Peas...

I've been on quite a health kick lately, and one thing that I'm trying really hard to stay away from is gluten. Hard to believe with Mondays post on the Strawberry Cream Cake. In all honesty I only had a couple small slices and it was worth every dreamy bite! 

At least once a week we have pasta, so I'm making the attempt to convert the whole family to gluten free pasta, aka by Boo as "hippie food". But once he tried this recipe I think he was a believer, fingers crossed. I used to be an unbeliever with gluten free as well, all flour or nothing at all. But I'm pleasantly surprised with the quality of the products available and I'm all about trying anything that is better for me.

This pasta was so rich with the addition of a small amount of cream. I know what you're thinking "I thought this was healthy?".  Well I cannot simply change everything about me, baby steps. I am a firm believer in everything in moderation. 

fresh basil from my garden, mmm!

Another great thing about this pasta is that it takes no time to whip up, less than 30 minutes and its on the table. We can all appreciate a quick meal any day of the week.

Any thoughts on gluten free?

Gluten Free Pasta with Pancetta, Tomatoes, and Peas

Serves 4

1 Pound Brown Rice Pasta

8 Ounces Pancetta, diced small

3 Cloves Fresh Garlic, diced

1/2 Cup Dry White Wine or Chicken Stock

2 Roma Tomatoes, medium dice

1/2 Cup Heavy Cream

1/2 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

Salt and Pepper, to taste

Pinch of Nutmeg

1/2 Cup Frozen Peas

6-8 Fresh Basil Leaves, chiffonade  See example here

Cook pasta according to package directions.

In a large skillet on Medium heat cook pancetta until browned. Once cooked transfer to a paper-lined plate to drain grease.

Add chopped garlic to same pan and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.

Add wine or stock and cook for 3 minutes.

Add chopped tomatoes and cook for about 3 more minutes, until tomatoes break down.

Add heavy cream and cook for about 3 minutes, until bubbling and thickened slightly.

Add parmesan cheese and return cooked pancetta back to sauce.

Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

Add frozen peas.

Toss sauce with cooked pasta and top with basil.

Serve immediately and enjoy!

Flavor Packed Pasta and dealing with negative opinions...

Hope you all had a great weekend, mine was filled with lots of work and hanging with the Boo. He just moved into his first house, so lots of painting and decorating have been taking place. I love every single minute of it! 

If you all recall on Friday I posted a recipe for whole wheat donuts and a short story of Liam and his love for them. Shortly after that was posted I received my first negative comment as a blogger. In short I said that Liam would do anything for a donut, and as a reward for being good during my hair and dentist appointments, he will get a donut. I deleted the comment immediately cause I don't want anything negative on here ever, but after talking to a few people about it they said that I should have left it to see what others have to say. So here is what this person had to say... "this boy has sit through numerous dentist visits" I'm not surprised! If you are feeding him balls of dough smothered in regular sugar - then you are setting yourself up to be your dentists best friend. There has got to be a healthier way to bribe a kid that rot his teeth out of his head. 

My child is given sweets, only during special occasions or times when he deserves it for being good. He doesn't even drink juice, soda, or chocolate milk, mostly regular milk or water. He will choose broccoli over potatoes. So to the person that was so concerned with what I give my child, you should know the whole story before you give your opinion. My child is one of the healthiest kids I know or ever have known, and that's all my doing. 

OK now onto something tasty...

I'm eating really light lately since summer weather is here. I wanted a pasta that had a lot of flavor and some protein. So I came up with a whole wheat pasta tossed in some sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, garlic, lemon, and Parmesan cheese. There's also a little cayenne pepper for a nice kick! Its a perfect summer pasta dish.