Weightwatchers Vegetarian Pasta

With a Twist 

Well as I've said before, usually once a week I'll have a day where i don't eat meat.  Again, this is for no other reason other than I have usually run out of meat and not had the time to get anything from the shops.  

So, then the other day on Twitter Nigella Lawson (whom I love) posted a tweet which had a recipe that really intrigued me.  It was Pasta Marmite!  You can get the recipe here at www.nigella.com 

Nigella Lawson is a woman who knows good food and boy can she cook but also if in my fifties, i looked like her i would be very happy.

Yes Marmite.  Now to me Marmite belongs in a drink or at most on a slice of toast but not in pasta.  I read on, as one does and the reviews was that it was gorgeous.  Now, I wasn't too sure about this because im not a Marmite fan and thought that it might be too Marmite-y for me.

Well today was the empty fridge day in my house and bam! i decided that it might be a good time to try this Marmite pasta.

It was gorgeous.  Exactly as they said in the reviews.  My 2 year old, whom, might i say is going through that stage of "no thank you, i don't like that or you eat that, you like it" loved it.  Ate everything on her plate and said "I like that".

There was also no complaints from the other half, who usually does not enjoy the slop Tuesday as its starting to be named in my house.  Not even with the lack of meat.

I was quite proud of this and will definitely be making it again.


Weightwatchers Propoints per Serving 9
Weightwatchers Propoints per Recipe 39
Serves 4

Ingredients

240g of Spaghetti
1 head of broccoli  
2 Tbl of real butter
1 Tbl of Flora Proactive Spread 
2 tsp of Marmite
240ml of pasta water
80g of grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

In large saucepan, fill with boiling salted water, add the pasta and broccoli and cook per pack instructions.  In the meantime place the the butter, flora and the Marmite in a saucepan over a low to medium heat until they melt and combine.

Before draining the pasta take 240 mls of the pasta water, set aside and drain the rest, leaving the pasta and the broccoli in the pot.

If the butter and Marmite mixture looks thick add the pasta water a little a time until loose.

Pour the mixture over the pasta and stir to combine.  Add the pasta water a little at a time until the pasta is loose and coated.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Plate up the pasta and sprinkle 20g of Parmesan cheese over eat dish.  Serve and enjoy.

Enjoy the Niptuck way, so you don't have too!

Weightwatchers Style Garlic Pasta, with Cherry Tomatoes and Parmesan Cheese

This is great for lunch and really tasty, i love the mix of cherry tomatoes, garlicified to the max and grated parmesan cheese with olive oil.

At least once every 2 weeks ill not eat meat for a day.  Im not sure of this reason at all.  There is none but i find that every so often i do this.  Now im a real meat eater.  Im only short of coming out of the cave with a leg of chicken in my hand, however with this i dont seem to miss the meat.  It feels complete.

I must confess though that when i do have these days its a thoughtless day for me as i will usually do it when there is very little left in the fridge or when there is left over Sunday ham to be eaten up.

Now if your new to either Weightwatchers or cooking for that matter, make this and you will surpise yourself because its really tasty and really easy.

Weightwatchers Pro Points per Recipe 22
Weightwatchers Pro Points per Serving 6
Serves 4

Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes, Garlic amd Olive Oil

Ingredients

240g of pasta (reserve 3 Tbl of the pasta water before draining)
Spray Oil
5 cloves of garlic minced and finely chopped
1 punnet of cherry tomatoes, halved
1 Tbl of olive oil
3 Tbl of reserved pasta water
2 Tbl of Grated Parmesan
Mixed leaves for salad

Directions

Cook pasta as per pack instructions for al dente and reserve 3 Tbl of the pasta water.

In a large saucepan, mist with spray oil, over a medium heat.  When hot, add the garlic and let it cook for about 3 minutes until its aroma is very strong, being careful not to burn the garlic.  Add in the chopped tomatoes and cook for another 3 minutes, stirring occasionally so that it doesnt stick to the bottom of the pan.

Reduce the heat to low and add the drained pasta. Stir to mis it all together.  Pour in the olive oil and stir to combine. 

Pour in the reserved water, 1 Tbl at a time to loosen it out and then add in the parmesan cheese and mix to combine.

Plate up the pasta and mix some mixed leaves, such as spinach, rocket and watercress and serve.

You can also eat this cold and add in some smoked salmon for a really filling lunch or you could add, cooked spinach and some pine nuts to add some crunch.

Enjoy the Niptuck way, so you don't have too!