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Pasta Putanesca :for two

In saucepan : add splash of olive oil , approx. 1 oz. , ½ T chopped garlic - more if you wish , 8 medium black olives and 6 green olives minced , 6 anchovies - use more or less according to your taste , ½ t. crushed red pepper , cook briefly ( 2 min ) over medium heat , add 2 cups of your spaghetti sauce ,marinara ,or red sauce ... and simmer till hot and flavors are incorporated , serve over your favorite pasta ..

So , you don't have time to simmer your sauce all day , but you still crave pasta . Here is a quick easy dish with many options to suit any craving ...

Step 1 . start pasta water in one pan with a little olive oil and salt . When water boils , cook pasta till al dente . Use your favorite pasta ( Or try a pasta that you've never tried before )

Step 2 . At same time , in saucepot , heat 1 oz. of olive oil , 1 oz. of chopped garlic , one cup cannellini or great northern beans ( drained ) , one cup diced tomatoes , one cup diced zucchini ,1/2 cup diced onions or more if you like , 1 cup sliced mushrooms and cook until onions are barely cooked . Chopped spinach or escarole are also excellent . The great part of this dish is that you can add or delete any ingredient and still end up with a great, easy dish .

Step 3 . Add one cup dry white wine to vegetables , one cup chicken or vegetable stock and simmer . Add salt , fresh ground black pepper and crushed red pepper to taste . ( note , go light on the salt for the cheese also has salt content )

Step 4 . Strain pasta ( rinse if you do not want the extra starch ) and add to sauce with 1 T. of butter .Mix well and serve . Freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese completes this dish . Bon appetite.

Step 5 . Eat

Remember , there are hundreds of variations here . Also : Calamata olives , proscuitto , capers,other vegetables , top with blackened chicken or shrimp ,. Be creative .