Monday, February 13, 2017

Linguine for Two



Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. Yes, that's right—the same day you have four meetings at work, and the kids have karate class and a party to go to. The last thing in the world you want to do is cook.

Here's a linguine recipe that's so easy it won't matter if you're interrupted fourteen times (although it might take longer to cook with all those interruptions). 

I am in love with one pot pasta and this is a variation of it. Some of the ingredients don't need cooking at all. Sounds better already, doesn't it? Now this recipe is heavy on garlic, but you're both going to eat it so who cares? Or you could omit the garlic if it's an issue for you.

If you don't have some of these ingredients on hand, feel free to substitute what you have. The smoked salmon, for instance, could be easily replaced by any cooked meat, like leftover chicken, steak, turkey, or your favorite pre-cooked sausage, sliced and added to the garlic to heat it.

If you don't have linguini, you can use spaghetti, though it might not use all the water. When it's al dente so that it suits you, pour the water off, reserving 1/2 cup. Add the 1/2 cup back to the spaghetti.


Smoked Salmon and Garlic Linguini for Two

2 tablespoons olive oil
2-3 cloves garlic
4 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 pound linguini
3 large handfuls of fresh baby spinach leaves
12 olives (I used black)
1 tablespoon capers
4 ounces smoked salmon
grated Parmesan (optional)

Pour the olive oil into a small to medium size pan and heat on low. Mince the garlic and add to the oil. Cook on low.

Pour the water and salt into a pot and bring to a boil. Add the spaghetti and spinach. Cook until the linguini is the way you like it. Very little water will remain in the pot.

While the linguini cooks, get out the capers, olives, and salmon. Tear or slice the salmon into bite-sized pieces.

When the linguini is done, remove it from the heat and pour in the oil and garlic immediately. Stir well to combine. Add the olive, capers and salmon and mix.

Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Cook the linguine and spinach together.

Most of the water will disappear.

All done!


In case you haven't heard,  MISSION IMPAWSIBLE is here! To celebrate, I'm giving away a copy to one person who leaves a comment and an email address.
Good luck!

19 comments:

  1. My birthday is in a few weeks and I think I shall ask to have this linguine for my dinner! I love the Paws and Claws series. Thank you for the chance to win the newest one.
    debprice60@gmail.com

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  2. Delicious pasta recipe; and I'm excited about Mission Impawsible! EMS591@aol.com

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  3. I am a big fan of the Paws and Claws series and can't wait to read Mission Inpawsible. Happy Valentine's Day. dbahn(at)iw(dot)net

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  4. That looks delish. My daughter loves anything pasta. If I don't tell her what's in it. She also loves olives. And would very much like to read the book. Thank you for the chance to get it. And for the recipe Della at deepotter (at) peoplepc ((dot) com

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  5. You had me at smoked salmon! (Oh, the one-pot part sounds good too--fewer dishes!)

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  6. What a great recipe. Thank you. I would love to win your book and get involved with this series. I also love the cover. Covers do so much to attract readers whish is one reason they I seem to like printed books most of the time. Thank you for the chance.
    Cynthia B.
    ceblain (AT) tmlponline (DOT) net

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  7. Pasta is wonderful & so versatile. Thanks for some more ideas of how to adapt it to anything on hand. Thanks for the giveaway. doward1952(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  8. "When it's al dente so that it suits you, pour the water off, reserving 1/2 cup. Add the 1/2 cup back to the spaghetti."
    That means, drain the pasta and keep 1/2 cup which is added back into the whole mix. Right?
    libbydodd at comcast dot net

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    Replies
    1. Right, Libby. I just don't know how much of the water the spaghetti will absorb versus the linguini.

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  9. The dish looks yummy. I would love to win a copy of Mission Impawsible! kristilewis.lrc(at)gmail(dot)com

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  10. Mission Impawsible sounds adorable. I love cozies that involve pets.
    turtle6422(at)gmail(dot)com

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  11. I love the book cover. So cute. I'd love to read your story.
    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  12. I love this series! Can't wait to read "Mission in books. I really enjoy stories that include pets in the storyline. Recipe looks amazing.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  13. the recipe looks delicious. will have to make it.
    ana(underscore)at(underscore)fdv@yahoo(dot)com

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  14. Can't wait to read it! I enjoy those books so much. Delicious sounding recipe.donamaekutsla7@gmail.com

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  15. This dish looks yummy! I can't wait to read this book. Thanks for the chance
    Zeta(at)iwon(dot)com

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  16. looks delicious! I would love to win a copy of the book as I have read the rest of the series so far. joann_lord@excite.com

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  17. I love making anything in one pot. It's so easy and you have less cleanup. Plus, I enjoy pasta recipes so I plan on trying this one. Thank You! Mbcncc@gmail.com

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  18. Trixie and Twinkletoes look very content, they must have just finished your Linguini. What a great picture, proving once again opposites do attract. Can't wait to delve into the book and delve into a big pasta bowl of this linguini recipe. I don't have smoked salmon but I am sure wild alaskan salmon will work too, maybe I will add a drop or two of smoke to the recipe just to enhance hopefully to the original taste you have so wonderfully created for us. Beautiful photo, I love the pictures! Thanks so much leahleah08@msn.com

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