Tomato, Fennel, and Goat Cheese Pasta

Fennel adds a lovely earthy flavour to this dish. It is also a good source of calcium, potassium, and vitamin C.

3 Tbsp (45 mL) extra-virgin olive oil
1 onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
10 anchovy filets, chopped
1/2 tsp (2 mL) crushed red pepper flakes
1 large fennel bulb, trimmed and chopped into 1/2 in (1 cm) pieces, fronds reserved
1/2 lb (225 g) whole grain farfalle pasta
2 cups (500 mL) cherry tomatoes, cut in halves
2 tsp (10 mL) dried marjoram
1 Tbsp (15 mL) fresh basil, chopped
6 cups (1.5 L) baby spinach
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup (60 mL) soft goat cheese
3 Tbsp (45 mL) toasted pine nuts

Heat oil over medium-high heat in large skillet. Add onion, garlic, anchovies, red pepper flakes, and fennel. Sauté until vegetables are tender and starting to brown, about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water according to package directions. Drain, reserving about 1 cup (250 mL) pasta water.

Add tomatoes, marjoram, and basil to veggie mixture and continue to sauté until tomatoes slightly break down, creating a thin sauce. Stir in spinach, pasta, and a few tablespoons of reserved pasta water until spinach is wilted and pasta is warmed through. Add more water as needed to create a saucy consistency, and season to taste with black pepper.

Divide among serving dishes, and garnish with crumbled goat cheese, pine nuts, and reserved
fennel fronds.

Serves 4.

Each serving contains:  486 calories; 18 g protein; 21 g total fat (4 g sat. fat, 0 g trans fat); 59 g carbohydrates; 11 g fibre; 490 mg sodium

source: "Pasta, Pronto!", alive #353, March 2012