Whole Wheat Pasta with Tomatoes, Rosemary & Lemon Zest

by Tokyo Terrace on January 24, 2010

Welcome to the new Tokyo Terrace! I hope you like the new site. It is still “under construction” but I should be finished with all the tweaks by the end of the week. I just couldn’t wait any longer to get a new post to you, so I jumped the gun and posted this one before I was completely finished. So sue me. Well, don’t actually, but you know what I mean.

The other day, the weather was unseasonably warm. The sun was shining brightly and there was a warmth in the air that made me think that spring had sprung a little earlier than normal (which would have been very welcome, of course!) However, by about 3pm, the wind began howling like crazy. It sounded like there was a tornado just outside my apartment windows. That mean wind brought with it some very cold weather; a definite shock to the system after a nearly 65F reading on the thermometer for a large part of the day.

Although this heat wave did not last very long, it did last through my lunch time, inspiring me to make a meal that was light, filling, and full of glorious flavors I typically search for in the spring and summer. And the best part? It was fast, easy and healthy! Perfect, non?

The bright red plum tomatoes retained their sweet, tart flavor after being quickly cooked with a bit of garlic and rosemary. The last minute addition of the lemon zest helped to brighten the flavor of the savory sauce and added a beautiful citrus scent to the dish. From start to finish, this took me about 20 minutes, including pasta-cooking time. Hello, delicious-fast-easy lunch! Can’t say no to that, can you? Didn’t think so…

Whole Wheat Pasta with Tomatoes, Rosemary & Lemon Zest

Serves 2

4 oz. whole wheat pasta, cooked according to the package directions (in salted water, of course!)

2 T olive oil

1 pint cherry or plum tomatoes, cut in half

1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped

1 clove of garlic, minced

Zest of 1/2 a lemon

Salt and Pepper to taste

Prepare the water for the pasta. When the water is boiling, add a generous amount of salt (about 3 T, but I never measure- just pretend you’re making ocean water) and cook the pasta according to the package directions. Remember that whole wheat pasta takes slightly longer to cook, so test it before taking it out of the water.

In a medium skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes and rosemary and cook over medium-high heat until the tomatoes just begin to break down (about 8 minutes), stirring gently. Reduce the heat to low and allow the tomatoes to continue cooking slowly for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.

When the pasta is cooked, add it to the skillet with the tomatoes. Toss to combine. Add the zest and toss to combine again. Transfer to two serving bowls. Serve sprinkled with parmesan cheese.

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  • http://www.sense-serendipity.blogspot.com Divina

    Rachel, your site is looking great as well as the pasta. How I wish I could just change the look of my blog is just one week. But I don’t have the talent for it. I’m excited to see the finished design of your blog. :D

  • http://cookbookapprentice.wordpress.com The Cookbook Apprentice

    Your site is just beautiful! This dish looks like a delicious and flavorful light meal.

  • Carole

    Hello Rachel, May I introduce myself, I’m your friend Jenn’s grandma. I was told about your food blog and since I too am a foodie, I had to check it out and it’s great, keep up the good work. Will visit it often to see what your up to.

  • http://allingoodfood42.blogspot.com/ Marisa

    I love the look of your site so far. I don’t blame you for jumping the gun. Your pasta dish is right up my alley. If it’s fast, easy, simple to make I love that. Waiting to see the finished blog.

  • http://myfabulousrecipes.blogspot.com Sook @ My Fabulous Recipes

    Hi Rachel,
    I found your blog on twitter! :) This pasta looks wonderful. I love the idea of whole wheat noodles. Sounds healthy and delicious.

  • http://thelacquerspoon.blogspot.com the lacquer spoon

    Citrus kick in the sweet tomato flavour… lovely!!

  • http://simplyscrumptiousfoodie.com Jessie

    ohhh I love the new site! it looks so clean and crisp. That Whole wheat pasta dish is my kind of meal, so light yet delish!

  • http://sophisticatedgourmet.com kamran siddiqi

    Rachael, the site looks gorgeous!! So does the pasta, by the way! :)

  • J in Hendersonville

    Wow! New site looking great!
    And I’m making that dish tomorrow (printed recipe
    & pics & have them on fridge).

  • http://aromasysabores-heidileon.blogspot.com/ heidileon

    congrats on Tokyo Terrace new look! just as beautiful and *tasty* as that pasta.

  • http://wasabiprime.blogspot.com wasabi prime

    Why, what a beautiful top banner you’ve got! :) I’m really pleased with the new look. I loved the old one, too, mind you. This one will be fun to work with and change out as the seasons come and go. This meal looks so yummy, by the way. I really need to stop reading delicious food blogs like yours right before dinner — my stomach is grumbling!!

  • http://topsy.com/tb/bit.ly/4uFlJy Tweets that mention Whole Wheat Pasta with Tomatoes, Rosemary & Lemon Zest — Topsy.com

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Kamran Siddiqi, Brian Lew and Rachael White, Rachael White. Rachael White said: {New Post & New Site!} https://tokyoterrace.com/?p=1992 http://fb.me/4MKGiNU [...]

  • http://www.debishawcross.com Debi (Table Talk)

    Nice crisp new look; really love the color complements! ~Great way to let your beautiful photography shine through ;)

  • Jan

    This looks delicious! I want to have it for lunch. TODAY!!!
    Your new page looks beautiful. Fresh, bright and clean.
    By the way, good job at http://japaneats.tv/?p=832

  • http://www.honeyandjam.com Hannah

    The site is gorgeous!

  • http://80breakfasts.blogspot.com joey

    Your site looks great! And so does your pasta!

  • http://jeroxie.com/addiction penny aka jeroxie

    What a lovely new site! Congras. :) And a lovely fresh recipe as well :)

  • tokyoterrace

    Thanks Hannah, Joey & Penny! So glad you like the site (and the pasta!)

  • tokyoterrace

    Thanks Debi! Glad you like it :)

  • tokyoterrace

    WasabiPrime: Yeah, someone pretty awesome helped me decide on the header ;) Thanks, yo!

  • tokyoterrace

    Aunt J: Thanks! I hope you enjoyed the pasta :)

  • tokyoterrace

    Kamran: Glad you like both the site and the pasta! Hope all is well with you!

  • http://www.theediblelibrary.com meaghan

    Your new site design looks beautiful!
    I’ll have to try this pasta–it looks simple and wholesome.
    Happy weekend.

  • http://www.alessandromeucci.com alessandro

    Spaghetti man says “thumbs up”!!!

  • tokyoterrace

    Meaghan: Thanks! Glad you like the new look. It’s still a work in progress, but I am happy with the initial outcome.

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