Articles and Advice
Pasta and Garden Vegetables made with Barilla® PLUS® Penne
Dear Parent,
In line with the Knowledge Learning Corporation's commitment to serve nutritious and great-tasting foods to children, our staff is
excited to announce a new addition to our lunch menu: Barilla® PLUS® pasta.
Barilla® PLUS® provides a lower-fat protein solution in a format kids love to eat: pasta! Features of Barilla® PLUS® include:
- Multi-grain
- 40% more protein than regular pasta with high quality ingredients: chickpeas, lentils, flaxseed and egg whites
- 4 grams of dietary fiber (2 oz. uncooked)—an "excellent" source
- A good source of ALA Omega-3s
The 2005 U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department
of Agriculture emphasize the importance of fiber in a healthy diet. The inclusion of Barilla® PLUS® is another positive step our company
is taking to meet such government nutrition recommendations. Among other things, diets high in fiber contribute to increased weight
loss and promote positive intestinal tract function.
And, because we know kids only want “good-for-you” food that tastes great, Barilla® PLUS® also brings the great-taste you'd expect
from America's #1 brand of pasta.
To help you provide nutritious meals for your family at home, we've included a healthy recipe below. Consider planting a vegetable
garden at home with your family to grow fresh ingredients. Gardening can be an inspiring activity, even for the young child.
Following a plant from seed to the family table is not only satisfying, but it sets the stage for a lifetime of learning and healthy eating.
Sincerely,
Stacy Lofton, MS, RD
Corporate Dietitian
Knowledge Learning Corporation
Pasta and Garden Vegetables made with Barilla® PLUS® Penne
Ingredients:
- 1 box Penne
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup white onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb. green beans, trimmed, cut into 1 inch diagonal pieces
- 2 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, cut into halves
- 2 cups yellow squash, cut into small chunks
- to taste salt
- to taste freshly ground black pepper
- ¾ cup chicken broth
- 6 leaves fresh basil leaves, cut into thin strips
Directions:
- BRING a large pot of water to a boil.
- HEAT oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic. Saute 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- ADD asparagus and continue 3 additional minutes. ADD tomatoes and squash; saute an additional 2 to 3 minutes,
- or until tomatoes are softened.
- SEASON with salt and black pepper to taste.
- ADD chicken broth and reduce heat to a simmer. Continue cooking to heat thoroughly.
- COOK PLUS Penne according to package directions. Drain pasta. Immediately add hot past to the skillet. Mix well.
- TRANSFER to a serving bowl or platter; garnish with fresh basil strips and serve.
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