Artichoke & Sun-Dried-Tomato Rice Pasta

Most people love to eat Pasta, and those who prefer eating healthy might feel guilty when they eat pasta, because obviously, it is not the most healthiest food choice. There is a solution, however! Substitute regular wheat pasta, to either whole-wheat or in this case Rice Pasta, which is Gluten-free and a much healthier choice!

I originally tried this vegetarian Rice Pasta at Il Fornello a few years back, and I fell in love with it! It’s super easy to make, and so delicious! The texture of Rice Pasta, if you’ve never tired it, is chewy, which I love, because I like my pasta al dente, so it’s perfect. The combination of sweet & salty flavor of sun-dried-tomatoes mixed with fresh & crunchy snow peas, along with salty punch of the artichoke hearts, is absolutely mouth-watering! I added grilled chicken breast this time, just for some protein, but you don’t have to. The pasta is great on it’s own, as a vegetarian dish.

Here are all the ingredients that you’ll need:

Package of Tinkyada Rice Pasta, or some other brand of rice pasta, Snow Peas, Artichoke Hearts, Sun-Dried-Tomatoes, Red Onion, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Chicken Breast, Italian Seasoning (not pictured) and Salt & Pepper (not pictured)

To start bring a pot of water to a boil & add salt to taste.

Add the pasta & stir with a wooden spoon. If you don’t stir, all the pasta is going to stick together. Cook for about 7-8 min, make sure you don’t overcook, it should be al dente, to preserve the yummy, chewy texture. Unless you prefer your pasta mushy, then cook it until whatever consistency you like.

While the pasta is cooking, take out the artichoke hearts from the jar and cut up length-wise into medium strips.

Next, cut the ends of the red onion, peel the outer layers, to reveal the pretty purple color, and half the onion…

Now slice the onion into medium-thin slices…

Next, for my non-vegetarian readers, season the chicken breast with salt & pepper, a little bit of Extra Virgin Olive Oil & sprinkle on some Club House Italian or Greek  Seasoning, or whatever other Seasoning you prefer. Mix well, and put in the fridge for 5-10 minutes, until we’re ready to grill.

Lets check on the pasta, by now, it’s perfectly cooked… Just look at those pretty spirals!

Drain the pasta, and leave there until later… I promise, I’ll tell you when you’re going to need it.

Now add some Extra Virgin Olive Oil to the same pot that we cooked the pasta in. Please, ignore those not-so-attractive salt water stains – just pretend they’re not there… Moving on now…

Add the red onions and sauté on medium heat until the onions are lightly caramelized…

Add some salt & pepper and mix well together…

After about 1-2 minutes, when the onions got a light-golden color, add the snow peas & mix together…

Let the onions & the snow peas cook for another minute or two, and add the sun-dried-tomatoes & mix well together. I didn’t mention this earlier – I get my sun-dried-tomatoes at Bulk Barn, and they already come pre-cut into thin strips, if yours aren’t, you’ll have to cut them up into medium – thin strips.

Now the last ingredient to go in, throw in the artichoke hearts & mix well. Let all the ingredients cook for about 30 seconds to a minute…

Last but not least, in goes the pasta…

Mix well together & cook on medium heat for another minute or so.

Now grill the chicken breast on medium – high heat for about 3-4 minutes on each side. I like my chicken tender & juicy – but if you prefer it well-done, depending on how strong your grill is, you might have to grill it for another minute or so per side. Basically, use your judgement and cook until you’re satisfied.

Once the chicken is ready, using tongs & a sharp knife cut the chicken breast into slices. Plate the pasta & add the chicken on the side.

Voila! You are done are ready to eat!

Told you it was fast, easy & delicious. Well, the delicious part you won’t know about until you try it… Which you should, because you are going to love it!

Artichoke & Sun-Dried-Tomatoes Rice Pasta with Grilled Chicken (optional)
Makes: 6 portions
Time: Approximately 30 min

Ingredients:

1 package Spiral Rice Pasta, or whatever kind you prefer
1/2 pound fresh Snow Peas
1 1/2 cups Sun-Dried-Tomato
1 jar pickled artichoke hearts
1 whole Red Onion
1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tsp Italian Seasoning
Salt & Pepper to taste

There you have it… If you were wondering what to make for dinner tonight, don’t! Try this healthy pasta recipe, that is so yummy. And if you have anybody in your family that turns their head at the sound of “healthy”, just don’t tell them it’s Rice Pasta, they’ll never know.

It’ll be our little secret

Bon Appétit!