Heart Healthy Spaghetti with Spinach & Walnuts
Submitted by:Linsey CorbinThis is a "heart healthy" pasta. Think: whole grains, walnuts and leafy greens. Great for the night before your long workout or in a post workout window. This meal will be a huge "hit" of nutrients known to ease oxidative stress, lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure and lower risk of heart disease.
Ingredients
1/4 cup olive oil 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped salt black pepper 10 ounces baby spinach 1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes 1 pound whole wheat spaghetti or pasta 1 cup walnuts, toasted
Instructions
1. Heat the oil over medium heat in a large skillet. 2. Stir in the garlic, 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is golden, about 2 minutes. 3. Stir in the spinach and pepper flakes and cook, turning with tongs, until the spinach is wilted, about 4 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat. 4. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the spaghetti until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta. 5. Toss the pasta with the spinach mixture in the skillet along with 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water. Add more pasta cooking water for a thinner sauce, then season with salt and pepper to taste and serve topped with the walnuts.
