Friday, January 24, 2014

Healthy Eating Doesn't Have To Be A Hassle; Penne With Mushrooms, Peas & Cherry Tomatoes & A Circulon Giveaway

By: The Food Hunter

Most people believe that healthy eating involves multiple trips to the market for crazy items that take hours in the kitchen to cook. Often times, they are turned off by those "good for you" products with odd names no one seems able to pronounce. (you know which I mean) Eating healthy does not have to be this difficult. It's quite possible to create healthy meals with minimal effort; using ingredients that you are familiar with and already enjoy.

I've partnered with Circulon during their #NewYearNewRes campaign and created the healthy, hassle-free meal below. Pasta is my comfort food, and although I love to eat it laden with a hearty meat sauce I like it equally as much loaded with sauteed vegetables in just their natural juices. For me, it's all about finding healthy ways to cook and eat what I like.

Thanks to the generous folks over at Circulon one lucky reader will win a Circulon Acclaim 12 inch Covered Deep Skillet to make cooking healthier meals for your family even easier. (enter below) Be sure to also check the Circulon Facebook page for a chance to win more cool prizes over the next several weeks.




Penne with Mushrooms, Peas & Cherry Tomatoes
(printable recipe)
Serves 4

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
16 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
2 cups frozen peas
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1 pound penne pasta
1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
Parmesan cheese for serving

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Stir the penne into the boiling water. Cover the pot and return to boiling, stirring occasionally until pasta is tender but firm...al dente. Usually about 12 minutes.

In a large skillet, heat olive oil, crushed red pepper and garlic over medium heat. Cook until garlic becomes fragrant. Add mushrooms. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally about 5 minutes or until mushrooms are lightly browned. Add peas and 1/4 cup of pasta water; cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat until pasta is ready.

When ready drain pasta and add to skillet with vegetables. Return skillet to low heat and add tomatoes and basil; toss to coat. Season with salt and a splash of olive oil.

Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.

***This recipe was created for Circulon Gourmet Cookware***

a Rafflecopter giveaway
In order for me to support my knowledge-sharing/writing/blogging activities, I occasionally may receive monetary compensation and or product in exchange for my recommendation, and/or testimonial. However, I only recommend products or services I have personally used myself and trust.

44 comments:

  1. That recipe sounds absolutely delicious and I betcha that my family would gobble it all up in no time flat!!

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  2. Such an awesome giveaway! Thanks for hosting it!

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  3. We started eating healthier last year, but my water intake fell off. To be healthier this year, I'm upping my water intake!

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  4. We were always hesitant about eating healthy because we thought it meant that you had to have Tofu, Quinoa, etc. etc. However, last year we decided to just eat what we normally do but make it healthier. So instead of having alfredo we had had something very similar to what you made there and it was YUMMY.

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  5. Can I say the food looks so good and I don't even eat peas. I have a similar frying pan like that and I love it.

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  6. I'm trying to exercise more - goodness knows I need to! I bought a FitBit One to hold myself more accountable.

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  7. We're eating out less (not at all this month) and meal planning with healthier meals in mind. The recipe above (minus the mushrooms) looks really good....I'm just not a mushroom fan. ;)

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  8. This recipe looks delicious! I need some new cookware, so I will be entering this giveaway.

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  9. looks amazing! i can't not have a deep skillet- i use mine all the time!

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  10. This year I'm consistently taking my daily vitamins and also trying to eat more leafy green veggies...I usually only eat broccoli. I'm trying to get my parents to eat healthier versions of the foods they like but it's such a struggle because they assume that means sacrificing taste. I hope to convince them that's not true! I'm allergic to mushrooms but my family loves them so I think I'll try this dish for them and also make myself a smaller portion without that 1 ingredient. Thanks so much for the recipe...and gosh I need a skillet like that!

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  11. YUM! I love how colorful and inviting that dish is. This year is my time to focus on getting healthy and eating the right foods. No more empty calories!

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  12. That pasta dish looks delectable. The ingredients are so fresh and yummy looking!

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  13. i'm not a fan of mushrooms but love the rest of this recipe. It seems nice and easy to make.

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  14. This looks incredible! We don't use pasta here but I bet it would be great with spaghetti squash. Thanks! -April

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  15. You can do so much with vegetables to make a meal more healthy and more interesting. Sounds great!

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  16. Oh that simple dish looks really delicious! I love cooking with pasta, it's so versatile!

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  17. This looks delicious! It's definitely going on my menu plan!

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  18. I love cherry tomatoes and that meal looks really tasty and filling. That skillet looks like exactly what I need!

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  19. Penne noodles are my favorite! We eat them at least once a week just tossed with parm. cheese or homemade tomato sauce!

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  20. I like this dish. Personally I would add peas on the side and maybe some canned chicken but overall really easy and simple.

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  21. Great giveaway! I am trying to put small goals in front of me that are achievable!

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  22. You're so right! Healthy eating can be so easy! Your Penne With Mushrooms, Peas & Cherry Tomatoes recipe looks really good. Perfect for my own healthy eating resolutions in 2014 - thank you!

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  23. getting to the gym 3 or more times a week

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  24. I love mushrooms in my pasta! This recipe looks great. To be healthy this year we're trying to add more vegetables to each meal.

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  25. Great giveaway - thanks! To be healthy this year, I'll continue to cram in the veggies and get in some daily movement!

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  26. I'm eating my fruits and veggies. I'm trying to smoke less cigarettes. I know I really need to quit. I've been taking the stairs and climbing the hills around here. :)

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  27. I am trying to reduce my stress response.

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  28. I work out everyday, drink lot's of water and cut back on sugar.

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  29. I am back to filling my plate with more fruits and veggies. I LOVE my one and only Circulon pan and I'm always hoping to add more.

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  30. We are continuing our progress towards eating a completely whole, diverse diet.
    Mary Beth Elderton

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  31. I'm going to eat more vegetables

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  32. I followed on instagram and you need to fix the link

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  33. As of the end of this week, I will no longer include wheat in my diet and will be cutting down on dairy.

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  34. I have cut out my junk food, chips, and cupcakes, and soda, these 3 things were my biggest downfall, so now I am also exercising too!! New Year New Me

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  35. This looks so healthy and tasty! I'm planning to exercise more (like more than none...) this year, but I haven't made much progress on that yet.

    Thank you for the giveaway AND for linking up with us at Saturday Night Fever! Hope to see you tomorrow night :)

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  36. Trying to eat more foods with no labels!

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  37. I love the simplicity of this dish. My whole family will love the fresh flavors. Sharing this post.

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