Something Easy Everyone Likes

My most stressful times in the kitchen are when I’m trying to make a dinner that everyone at the table will eat.  Toasted bagels might make them all happy, but they're more brunch-y to me.

Pasta is the closest I’ve come to pleasing everybody, although I often need to provide several sauce choices.  I’m perfectly happy with Pesto Sauce, Garlic Sauce or Marinara Sauce.  I’m not too crazy about Alfredo Sauce—too rich for my taste.  But basically I’ll eat anything else.

Creamy Tomato Sauce has become a good compromise at our table.  Yes, it has some cream, but it’s spicy and tomato-red.  Easy to make and easy to eat, Tortellini with Creamy Tomato Sauce is the current popular pasta dinner in Mom’s kitchen.

Tortellini with Creamy Tomato Sauce – serves 4 (adapted from “HELP! My Apartment Has a Dining Room”) 

2 tablespoons olive or canola oil
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
12 ounces dried tortellini
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/4 teaspoon black peppers 

Fill a large pot half-full of water, cover and begin heating over high heat.
Begin heating the oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat.  Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and let the garlic sizzle for about 10 seconds.  Add the tomato sauce and stir.  Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the sauce thickens slightly.  Remove from the heat and set aside. 

When the water comes to a boil, add the tortellini.  Stir to make sure they are all submerged.  Check the cooking time on the package and set the timer accordingly.  Stir once or twice during cooking to make sure the tortellini don’t stick to each other.  When the timer rings, taste a tortellini to make sure it is fully cooked.  Cook for 1 or 2 minutes further if necessary. 

Drain the tortellini in a colander in the sink. .

Reheat the tomato sauce.  When it reaches a boil, add the cream and stir.  Add the tortellini and stir again so they are coated with sauce.  Cook for another minute but do not allow the sauce to boil.  Season with black pepper and serve. .

NOTE: Fresh and frozen tortellini take just 3 or 4 minutes to cook.  Check the package directions. To serve 4 people, you will need at least 1 pound.

                          For easy recipes, order "Help! My Apartment Has a Kitchen!"