Friday, November 5, 2010

Sauteed Elbows with Corn, Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Meatballs

This is a fun dish that's an easy way to use up leftover pasta. I know, it's hard to believe that my family has any leftovers, but if I make a big bag of pasta, I can usually get something for lunch or dinner the next day. Anyhow, this dish uses up leftovers and is reminiscent of my Garbage Tofu in that whatever is available in the way of veggies and protein, I'll usually throw in. This combo was especially delicious, so I thought it good enough to be added to my recipes here. This can also be considered an end-of-the-month meal, since that's usually when I'm scrounging around trying to find enough scraps to throw together one last meal before payday. We had this a few days ago right before the green landed in the bank. What do you think of an end-of-the-month meal category? Are there enough budget-minded people out there that they would find this interesting and helpful?




Sauteed Elbows with Corn, Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Meatballs
Ingredients:

1 bag of vegan meatballs
1 Tbs. canola oil
1 cup frozen corn
5 cloves of garlic, sliced into rounds
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, julienned
1 pound of leftover large elbow macaroni or another small pasta
1 tsp. fennel seed
1 tsp. dried basil
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Bake the meatballs according to package directions. When done, cool enough, so you can cut them in half. Set aside. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Crunch up the corn with your hand, while it's still in the bag, and add to the oil. Cook for about three minutes or so, then add the garlic. Cook for another three to five minutes, until the corn is warmed through and the garlic is fragrant. Add the remaining ingredients, including the meatballs. Turn the heat down to medium low, and cook for ten minutes, until heated through. Stir occasionally. Delicious and simple. Serves five hungry vegans.

16 comments:

  1. Looks delicious to me whether you're rich or "scrounging";-)

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  2. I love pasta and corn together! This sounds delicious, I love the little tomato strips...

    I would be interested in seeing budget meals. :)

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  3. Hi, S.V. and Rose!

    S.V., thanks, but I think we mostly fall into the latter category. :-)

    Rose, Thanks, I ended up having quite a few tasty items laying around it turns out. I'll think about those budget-friendly meals. In today's economy, it can't hurt.

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  4. What made your macaroni look so yellow? At first I thought it was mac n cheese but there is no nutritional yeast or cheese added. Fooled me! Looks wonderful though and I think an end of the month recipe would be great!

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  5. I like the sound of the corn, sundried tomato, meatball combination. And I'm always interested in hearing ideas in the budget-minded category.

    I enjoyed your comment! What did you guys end up buying?

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  6. im trying to be on a budget also...this is my first week of handling it on my own:)

    i remember garbage tofu! yum:)

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  7. I love leftovers, but it's even better when you can turn them into another meal and eat something different. This looks really satisfying as well as budget-friendly.

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  8. Hello, ladies!

    Jacklyn, you made me laugh because, honestly, I think it was just poor lighting!

    Jenny, We bought somersaults salt and pepper and chocolate covered dehydrated bananas! All thanks to you. :-)

    Hi, Judy, Glad you're back! Been fine over here, but now I'm going to check out your site!

    Michelle, good luck and have fun. Hopefully you'll recover money that was too easily spent.

    Jessica, We've got to use up those leftovers instead of throwing them away. I'm way too thrify for that.

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  9. Sun dried tomatoes always ad such a flavor boost to any dish ! Dried fruits and veggies have a more intense flavor than their fresh counterparts.Dish sounds yummy, and anything that uses up leftovers is a plus ! Dr Oz was just writing about how much on average the American Family throws out from leftovers and such. Seems we have forgotten the old wisdom of 'Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without"

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  10. Hear, hear, Di! We used to throw out so much food, it would make you/me sick. Thankfully, we have been much more frugal and eat up our leftovers for some time now.

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  11. I like the idea of a 'end of the month/budget' category! That's when my cooking starts to get more creative too!

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  12. Sounds great! I loved the sun dried tomatos touch!

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  13. Hi, Theresa, I think that must be a popular category. It looks like I'm going to be putting some effort into expanding it.

    Carissa, thanks. I always forget about my sun-dried tomatoes, but I'm really glad when I remember them.

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