Sandy'S Spicy Ears
Sandy's Spicy Ears is a vibrant, flavorful dish featuring tender orechiette pasta combined with fresh summer squash, peas, and aromatic herbs. Perfect for a quick, satisfying meal, it highlights bright flavors and can be easily customized with herbs and spices to suit your taste.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Bring water to a boil and cook the orechiette pasta with the chicken bouillon cubes until al dente.
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat.
- Add chopped summer squash, defrosted peas, and chopped mint leaves to the pan.
- Cook the mixture on medium heat until the squash is tender, about 5-7 minutes.
- Sprinkle garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to taste during cooking.
- Drain the cooked pasta and add it to the sauté pan.
- Toss everything together and garnish with whole mint leaves, chopped parsley or basil, and chilled Jersey tomatoes before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier sauce, consider adding a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of ricotta cheese at the end. If summer squash isn't available, zucchini can be a great substitute. Fresh herbs elevate the dish, but if using dried, reduce the amount to about a third. This recipe can also be customized by adding protein like grilled chicken or shrimp, making it a satisfying meal.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this dish warm, garnished with additional mint leaves and a sprinkle of fresh herbs. It pairs beautifully with a side salad or crusty bread to soak up the flavors. For an added twist, consider serving alongside a refreshing Basil Chicken Salad or a light Tomato Rice Pilaf to complement the pasta.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of water or broth to prevent sticking and microwave in short intervals, stirring in between, or reheat gently in a pan over low heat until warmed through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Sandy'S Spicy Ears contains roughly 199 calories, with 5g protein, 27g carbohydrates, and 8g fat. It is a good source of calcium (14% of the Daily Value), iron (13% of the Daily Value), and protein (10% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1817mg per serving (79% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of pasta for this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute orechiette with other pasta shapes like penne or fusilli. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time according to the pasta you choose, ensuring it's cooked to al dente.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this dish can easily be made vegetarian by omitting the chicken bouillon cubes and using vegetable broth instead. This will keep the flavors rich without using meat products.
What can I add for extra protein?
You can add grilled chicken, shrimp, or even chickpeas to this recipe for added protein. Incorporating these options can make it a heartier meal while still keeping the vibrant flavors.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).