Craving Greens :: Orrechietti w/Sauteed Garlic Lime Spinach

A. had his weekly soccer game tonight and I didn't get home till late (long day at work!), so I was feeling very lazy.  ...but hungry! :-)   I was tempted to order pizza but, oddly enough,  I was craving greens.  Can you believe it... that you can actually crave healthy greens... not just things like cake and chocolate! ...Well, I guess that's a good thing!

So I decided to follow my urge to be healthy and pulled out a bag of fresh baby clam spinach!  I came up with this very simple dish:  sauteed spinach in garlic and lime mixed with orrechietti, and topped with plenty of  freshly grated Parmesan.  

It only took a few minutes, and there was no chopping and hardly any cleanup.  It was so delicious and fresh that I think I'll be making this more often, no just lazy nights!  The bit of lime is perfect with the spinach and Parmesan.

* For a 'less healthy' version:  saute a bit of pancetta with the spinach and top w/toasted pine nuts. :-)

Enjoy!

ORRECHIETTI w/SAUTEED GARLIC LEMON SPINACH  (serves 2)

1/2 box Orrechietti

1 bag baby clam Spinach

2 cloves Garlic, peeled

Juice of 1/2 lime

Salt & Pepper to taste

Parmesan, grated

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Boil the pasta per box directions. 

In a large skillet heat the olive oil (about a table spoon) and add whole garlic cloves.  When the garlic starts to brown, start adding the spinach.  It will wilt quickly, you can add the spinach in parts if it does not all fit at once.  Mix the spinach with the olive oil and add the lime juice and salt and pepper to taste.  This will only take a couple of minutes to cook.  

Add the pasta to the skillet and mix.  

Remove the garlic cloves, add the grated Parmesan and serve.