Farfalle with Tuna

Niko : "What's for dinner, mama?"
Me : "Pasta!"
Niko : "Spaghetti?"
Me : "No, Farfalle with Tuna!"

Sounds fancy ha? Saying the word "farfalle" makes you feel like a top chef.  It'll impress your family.

Well, "farfalle" is just another word for bow-tie pasta. Don't get intimidated by the name of the dish. This is as easy as making spaghetti with meat sauce.


INGREDIENTS :

1 small onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2  14.5oz cans diced tomatoes
1/4 cup dry white wine (you can substitute with chicken stock or water)
1  14.5oz can black pitted olives, drained and sliced
3 tsp chopped fresh oregano or 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
2   6oz cans tuna in olive oil
1 lb/16oz dried farfalle/bow-tie pasta
2 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper

1. Heat olive oil in a pan on medium heat. Saute the garlic and onions until onions are tender and translucent.
2. Add the canned tomatoes and bring to a boil. Add the dry white wine and simmer for a minute. Stir in the olives and oregano. Cover pan and let it simmer for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Meanwhile, cook the farfalle per instructions on the package. Save 1/4 cup of the water used to boil pasta. Drain the pasta and transfer to a bowl.
4. Flake the tuna (you can drain the tuna to remove excess oil if you wish) and add it together with the 1/4 cup pasta water to the simmering sauce. Adjust the seasoning according to your taste. Let the sauce simmer for few more minutes until the tuna is heated through.
5. Pour the tuna sauce over the pasta and toss. Garnish with fresh oregano or parsley to make it look like a professional chef made it.
6. Serve, say the name of the dish (Farfalle with Tuna!) and let your family enjoy your fancy pasta!

Saucy Soft Tofu

Tofu is a good source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids and  iron. It is also low in fat and calories. It is a healthy alternative to meat. Since tofu does not have a strong flavor like meats do, the challenge is how to make it taste good. Firm tofu is delicious when it's deep-fried or added to stir-fried dishes. So what to do with soft tofu? I like adding them to stir-fried dishes like the firm tofu. They are also yummy on soups.

Saucy Soft Tofu (I just made-up the name) , sweet and savory, will hopefully delight your taste buds on tofu.

INGREDIENTS:

14oz soft tofu, cut in 1 1/2 inch cubes
1 tbs oyster sauce
1 tbs rice wine
2 tbs soy sauce
1/2 cup chicken stock
1 tbs sugar
1 tsp cornstarch dissolved in 2 tsp water
1 stalk green onions plus additional for garnishing, sliced diagonally
1/2 inch ginger, sliced thinly
1/2 tsp sesame oil

1. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice wine, chicken stock and sugar. Set aside.
2. Put soft tofu in a pan in one layer. Top with the ginger and green onions. Pour the soy sauce mixture into the pan.
3. Turn on the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Transfer the cooked soft tofu in a plate.
5. Add the cornstach dissolved in water to the sauce. Stir until it thickens. Turn off the heat. Drizzle the sesame oil into the sauce.
6. Pour the sauce into the cooked soft tofu. Garnish with green onion.
7. Serve and enjoy a healthy meal.