30-minute Whole Grain Pasta with White Beans and Tomatoes. A gorgeous and delicious meal that comes together quickly and easily. It’s so simple, yet so rich in flavor, you’ll be making this time and time again.
I’ve been thinking a lot about life. The good and joyful, and the bad and ugly. Why people do the things they do, why people hurt other people, why people take advantage and are mean to other people and why bad things happen to good people.
I have no answers. OK, maybe I have some guesses but I don’t know if they are right. All I know is how I was raised; which wasn’t perfect by any means. My parents were immigrants who came from Korea to the states for a better life and struggled for a good part of it working their butts off because they were just trying to survive.
Their hard work paid off because during most of my childhood through college years, my parents were financially stable and my brother, sister and I were never hungry. We were never without something we needed. My father taught us (drilled into our heads at a very young age) that we are family and that we needed to support and take care of each other because no one else would. He wanted my brother, sister and I to be close. And we were. And we still are.
It was my parents who taught me to be thankful for everything. To be kind. To treat others how you want to be treated. And the fact that we went to church every Sunday as a family, had a huge influence on the way I grew up as well.
Nothing is perfect though. There’s still divorce, there are still marriages around you crumbling, there’s still cheating and abusive people. There are still crazy people out there who do terrible things.
And all I can say is this.
Focus on the good. Focus on the good as much as you can. Because if you don’t, what’s left? There has to be good somewhere. I believe that.
Since our kitchen is being renovated, my family and I are camped out downstairs. Eating off of paper plates and using plastic utensils because most of our dishes are packed away and the few that I left out are being used for other things. I refuse to order pizza and pick up take out for the next three weeks because 1) the selection around my house isn’t that great 2) it’s expensive 3) we’ll get sick of that fast.
So, I’ve been trying to be creative with what I’m cooking, yes, still trying to cook at least 4 to 5 days out of the week. I say heating up a frozen lasagna still counts. If it’s hot and came from someplace in the house, I’ve cooked it. I’ve been baking our Annie’s mac and cheese, making lots of sandwiches, making spaghetti and I even managed to make a baked chicken dish one night, going back and forth into the hallway guest bathroom since there’s no sink in my kitchen currently.
And once we sit down, on the floor, around this little coffee table, which has become the family dinner table for the next few weeks, I look around and know that my family is healthy. We have warm food on the table. We are together. And that’s all that matters right now.
Right before the kitchen renovation started I made this 30-minute Whole Grain Pasta with White Beans and Tomatoes. It’s from Emilie Raffa’s new cookbook, 
Emilie went to culinary school but it wasn’t until she had kids and went through a rough period (you’ll have to read the introduction to find out what I’m talking about), that she turned to food, started blogging and “chronicled her journey toward a more balanced lifestyle.”
The Clever Cookbook shares Emilie’s get-ahead strategies in the kitchen and “time saving tips for stress-free home cooking.” I don’t know about you, but I think we could all use some of this in our lives.
I love this line from Emilie’s introduction, “More and more of us want to get back to basics, connect with our food and make it ourselves. We just need a way to get there.”
Here’s hoping that you take some time to check out Emilie’s new cookbook!! What I’m making as soon as I am able (in a working kitchen!): Simple Spice Roasted Carrot and Avocado Salad, Coconut Curried Chickpeas with Wilted Greens, Chocolate Peanut Butter & Quinoa Truffles, Cauliflower Bolognese, and her Easy Zucchini & Brown Rice Gratin.
and be sure to enter the giveaway down below. . Emilie is also hosting a HUGE giveaway on her blog, so check it out!
Whole Grain Pasta with White Beans and Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb. whole-grain angel hair or thin spaghetti
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil plus more for drizzling
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes whole
- 2 cloves garlic grated
- 2 cups cooked cannellini beans rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup roughly chopped kalamata olives
- 1 tablespoon capers rinsed
- 1/2 cup roughly chopped parsley
- freshly ground pepper
- parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside. Drizzle with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- In a large 12-inch skillet, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the whole cherry tomatoes and cook until they begin to burst, about 5 to 6 minutes. Add the garlic and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- To the pan, add the beans, kalamata olives, capers and chopped parsley. Add the pasta directly into the pan, and toss well with tongs to coat the pasta.
- To serve, top the pasta with extra olive oil, a few turns of freshly cracked pepper and a generous grating of parmesan cheese.
Recipe published here with permission from author.
The Giveaway!!!
For a chance to win a copy of Emilie’s book, please leave me a comment telling me your family’s favorite meal or recipe. Giveaway will be open until Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016. Open to residents within the United States only.
My family loves Gringo Tacos. As a third generation Californian, I grew up on Mexican food. My mother invented this time saver recipe and it is delicious!
My familys favorite meal is posole, but we also love spaghetti with ground beef sauce.
My family’s favorite meal is my mom’s Orange Roughy with garlic and spinach.
My families favourite meal is a simple roast.
This looks like my kind of pasta dish too, light on the sauce which is how I like it.
I get really upset about the seeming randomness of life’s ills, too. The fact that the concept of being good or deserving the best doesn’t necessarily gel with how life will go has always been disturbing to me. I’ve seen such terrible things happen to amazing people, and when I open a newspaper, it doesn’t help. The Zika virus alone is making me freshly sad every day. Or the primaries. Newspapers are scary.
So yeah, we need to treasure all the good stuff, mainly our families. They’re the best. And frozen lasagna. And new kitchens. 🙂
This pasta looks much better than takeout pizza! And you’re cooking through the renovation, so yay you!
Thanks for always reading, Mir!! I agree with everything you just said . . especially the primaries!
I completely agree with those family values, too! And it’s definitely important to focus on the good. I forget to do that a lot. This pasta looks delicious, Alice! I would’ve never thought to add white beans, so I’m loving this dish!
My families favorite meal is roasted chicken and veggies. It is really our go to meal.
This looks like my kind of pasta! Heavy on the olives for me 🙂
I am sure you are looking forward to cooking in your new kitchen.. I have enjoyed reading your blog and your family stories… Recipes are great also! When our kitchen was being renovated I used the crockpot and the rice cooker for so many good meals!! Thanks again for your family stories!
Thank you, Mary Ann!
Thank you for sharing this recipe and your thoughts on life in general – sounds like you are keeping a healthy perspective and have all your families needs and priorities in the right place. How wonderful it will be to have a brand new kitchen! Congrats early ✨Bita
Hi Alice! I have to say- I couldn’t agree with you more. It’s so important to stay focused on the present when things get hectic. It’s not easy at times, but this GORGEOUS plate of pasta certainly helps! Woo hoo! I want to dive right in! This is just lovely, thank you so, so much. How thoughtful of you to do this amidst your kitchen renovations. I appreciate every last bit! 🙂 You rock those paper plates, girl!
My families favorite dish is surf and turf, which consists of an oven roasted spoon roast and broiled sea scallops. Thanks for the chance to win a great cook book.
Beautiful post, Alice. I agree, we always have to look for the good. Always. And yes, heating up a frozen lasagna definitely still counts! 😉 Thanks for this beautiful recipe! I can’t wait to try it. Also can’t wait to learn more about Emilie and her book. Cheers! <3
I agree about focusing on the good and realizing how good you have it and just being grateful! Good luck with your kitchen reno! In the meantime, these meals around the coffee table, sitting on the floor, will make good memories. And this pasta – looks absolutely delicious and satisfying. I really enjoy whole wheat pasta with fresh tomatoes and beans.
My family’s favorite meal is eggplant parmigiana. Thank you for sharing your recipes!
My family’s favorite meal is my dad’s fried rice. It’s different than what you find at Chinese restaurants because there’s egg, scallions, cha siu, lap cheong, , Chinese roast pork, and bacon (sometimes).
I’ve come to be intolerant of the word tolerance. Ha. Because doesn’t that just mean “put up with” really? We teach our kids to be respectful, helpful, and yes, KIND. I believe we’re raising food humans – I sure hope so. I sort of fear for this next generation. The internet has made people rude, because they can hide behind their computers. It’s so sad. This pasta dish, makes me happy, though!
Amy, I know how you feel . . 🙁 technology definitely has the good and the very very bad. . thank you sister for the comment!
Love everything about this! Y.U.M.
,My family’s favorite meal is a tie between chicken parmesan, enchiladas and fideo, and mac n cheese, all homemade of course.
This pasta is incredible ♥ Totally love it!
summerdaisy.net
In our house we love food and we love variety but one recipe we make very often is Japanese curry & rice. This recipe looks great and I think my daughter would love it. 😀
Cauliflower corn soup with a salad on the side, soup cause it’s winter and salad cause it’s always good to have a fresh balance that reminds us of summer!
I am loving EVERYTHING about this post – this pasta, this cook book! I need it ALL! Love those white beans in there too! Pinned!
I think you would love this pasta, Taylor!
Tostadas or tacos! Homemade pizza when we have a litter more time. ?
Thanks for your great blog and this giveaway!
Hi Cindy! Congrats, you won! Reaching out to you now for information!
This pasta looks amazing! I love the white beans and garlicky goodness 🙂 Pinning!
We enjoy any kind of Mexican food. I guess the favorite would be Tacos.
This looks beautiful! My family’s favorite meal is my mom’s homemade chicken and noodles over herbed mashed potatoes.
Favorite family meal is Lasagna.
I make a whole grain pasta dish with zucchini spirals, little tomates like she has here, lovely easy frozen artichoke hearts, lemon and garlic. Very easy, very yummy.
I love to make chap chae for my family and friends. It is so good and easy to make. I am trying to find a good dumpling recipe so I can make mandu.
My family’s favorite recipe is chicken pot pie (:
I’m a family of one, but my favorite dish is probably turkey chili with cornbread. I typically have some kind of green veggies on the side, but the chili makes me feel a bit better about winter. Plus I can make a big batch and it lasts forever!
I love this post, Alice! I feel the same way and always try to look for the good, be kind and stay positive. Life is just way too short. This pasta looks incredible! I love Emilie’s blog and her new cookbook! The white beans are such a great addition!
Thank you so much, Kelly!!
Eek! Another cookbook to add to my gotta-read list! And this pasta is definitely going on our dinner menu—it looks so flavorful yet so easy to throw together!
I was raised very similarly, Alice… to put family first, to treat people the way you want to be treated, to be kind to people even if they may not deserve it, and to try and see the best in all things. I have no idea why some people behave the way they do – abuse, take advantage, kill.. anything evil – my only guess is they are crazy, and possibly need a hug or 10. 😉 What’s really sad is that nice people tend to end up last more often than not, and they rarely get the good things they deserve. While people undeserving end up basking in the glorious sun. All I can believe, or chose to believe is, that in the end, we all eventually will get what we deserve. If not, hopefully karma catches up.
Anyways, I’m super excited for you and your kitchen!! Can’t wait to see it all finished!! And I love that you are still cooking for your family, you are such a fabulous mother and wife. If you ever want to adopt a 32 year old, I know the perfect child! 😉 LOVE this pasta! Complete meal perfection! I want to twirl big ‘ole spoonfuls of this pasta right into my pie hole! Cheers, friend! <3
Alice, your post made me tear up. I’ve also been reflecting a lot on Why? Why are people so cruel to each other? Why do seemingly random bad things happen to good people? But I know too that people are also good to each other. People also commit random acts of kindness and generosity. Sometimes, I think that the bad things are just louder. Maybe because we choose to perceive it that way. So when you said to “focus on the good,” it reminded me to become more conscious of those quiet, wonderful acts. Thank you for posting such a thoughtful post. Kudos to you for taking the time to cook and make time for family, even amidst the kitchen reno madness. I’ll have to check out Emilie’s wonderfully simple recipe. And thanks for reminding us all to be kinder and focus on the good. <3, demeter
What a nice post, Alice. I agree, sometimes you have to tune everything else out and focus on the positive. This cookbook looks wonderful, and I love the simplicity of this recipe!
Our family’s favorite meal is meatloaf and corn
We love any kind of pasta… chicken alfredo is at the top of our list!
This pasta looks beyond delicious, Alice! Just what I’m craving on this chilly and rainy Thursday!
Love to learn about you in every post. Your parents I am sure are proud of you and the POSITIVE impact you have on everyone who knows you. Your children will benefit from the traditions you carry down to them. ? It’s not kimchi but I will try this recipe.
I tell my kids to focus on what they have, not what they don’t. The good part, not the bad — it really is all we have! And kitchen remodels are like camping aren’t they? 🙂 I love how simple and delicious this pasta meal is, too — these ingredients just shine together!
We love chili!
Alice I can eat pasta every day for every single meal!! I love pasta and I am in love with this version of yours with beans!! Looks so good!
My family’s favorite meal is Salisbury Steak with Onion Gravy!
Alice, I’ve been seeing all the photos of your kitchen renovation, and I’m sooo excited for it (and jealous of your ovens)!! I can’t believe you’re still managing to cook 4 to 5 times a week, but you’re right, ordering pizza and takeout every day will get boring. Beautiful pasta dish! And my family’s favorite meal is hot pot!
A simple roast chicken and roasted vegetables and a grain salad…….comfort food!
Family dinners are so important! Thanks for a sweet giveaway!
Lovely post and reflection, Alice. My dad instilled the same values in us when we were young. He was born in the Japanese internment camps during WWII and they came out with nothing. They stuck together, he worked his butt off and raised a family where we had everything we needed – he’s my hero. You’re so right, family is everything.
This dish is as comforting as family. You’re a rock star for making such a beautiful dish while your kitchen is being remodeled! Can’t wait to see pictures of it completed.
I absolutely loved reading this post. Even yesterday we were talking about human nature and why certain things happen. I agree whole heartedly that focussing on the good is so so important. Good luck with your kitchen renovation.
This pasta is one of my favorites from her book too. She just shows how easy cooking can be and eating healthy doesn’t have to be a chore. So so beautiful.
Great job on the pictures Alice.
xx
hmm I can never really understand why awful things happen to good people all the time, I think about it a lot because that’s all I have seen in my life…but you are right Alice..we need to focus on the good and stay positive! there is lot of goodness in this world, we need to appreciate that! loved reading this post and of course the pasta looks gorgeous!
There are six of us and very, very few meals that we all eat! But homemade pizza seems to be a pleaser to everyone.
What a beautiful book (and post) Alice! It’s truly inspiring and I need to get my hands on it. We love a simple stir fry. It’s our quick get dinner on the table dish but it’s also a great way to get more veggies on our plate and clean out the fridge. It’s become a thing with Justin and I with who can create the best stir fry. It’s never the same but that’s the fun part.
We always ate dinner together at the table so there isn’t one specific dish that was a family favorite. But my personal favorite that my mom made was probably Kalbi because it was only on special occasions and also making dumplings together.
My family’s favorite is chili with rice!
Slow cooker BBQ chicken recipe that’s super simple and you’d think it was pork. Great for sliders, rice bowls, flatbread pizzas, and nachos.
my family loves a bowl of butternut squash chili. It’s filled with colorful fresh veggies and I top it with avocado and some blue chips- YUM.
Soup. We love all kinds of homemade soup. The recipe I use most often is Ellie Krieger’s Tuscan Vegetable Soup (available free online). It’s like a big bowl of healthy. I add avocado to each serving. Delicious.
We love making lasagna
My family’s favorite meal is spaghetti with tons of vegetables!