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the review: rotini with asparagus, basil, and balsamic glaze

July 2, 2014 adrienne robideaux

Remember a couple of weeks ago when I made that seemingly difficult but really quite simple balsamic reduction and then totally forgot to serve it with my meal? Right. I put it in a jar and put it in the pantry. Probably a major cooking foul, but considering that the recipe came under the header of “pantry”, I went with it. Anyway, that, and the two bunches of asparagus from our produce basket, was the only reason that I chose to make campanelle with asparagus, basil, and balsamic glaze (The Cook's Illustrated Cookbook, page 179) on Monday night. The balsamic reduction made the dish.

My older kids were all about “the sauce”. What is this sauce? Have we had this sauce before? I hated to tell them that it was just inexpensive balsamic vinegar boiled down for about 15 minutes. Do you need a new party trick? This is it, people. The sauce is the business.

For those of you who do not have The Cook’s Illustrated Cookbook (and by that I mean all of you newcomers because I know those of you who have been reading for the long haul have already broken down and purchased this outstanding cookbook), campanelle with asparagus, basil, and balsamic glaze is a simple vegetarian recipe. While you cook up your pasta (in my case, rotini because I could not find campanelle), you sauté a bit of red onion and asparagus in olive oil with a bit of salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. If you don’t already have balsamic glaze in your pantry (right? who does?) this recipe tells you how to make your very own. After your asparagus is nice and toasty and your pasta is ready, the vegetables are combined with the pasta plus a bit of pecorino, pasta water, and a big pile of fresh basil. What’s not to like? Drizzle a bit of balsamic glaze (aka “the sauce”) over the top and serve with your favorite protein. Simple, flavorful, satisfying supper. 

I'll be honest. I'm slightly embarrassed to even be writing a review of something this easy on the internet. Make it, please. But don't tell anyone that I told you too.

In reviews Tags pasta, summer, grill
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Saturday morning biscuits. #bakemore
Saturday morning biscuits. #bakemore
Almost done w this book and I have loved it so much that I want to go back and reread it so that I can absorb what I missed the first time. @ingridfetell ‘s take on interiors and architecture are more than a little refreshing in a sea of everyone’s living room looks the same (*cough* Instagram *cough*). Since it’s #followfriday (do people do that anymore??), you should definitely add @aestheticsofjoy to your feed and also check out her TedTalk. It’s short and sweet and may just inspire you to change things up at your house. #animalcrackerjoy (PS to my friends headed to @altsummit next month - @ingridfetell is speaking. Look her up in the app and let me know how it goes!)
Almost done w this book and I have loved it so much that I want to go back and reread it so that I can absorb what I missed the first time. @ingridfetell ‘s take on interiors and architecture are more than a little refreshing in a sea of everyone’s living room looks the same (*cough* Instagram *cough*). Since it’s #followfriday (do people do that anymore??), you should definitely add @aestheticsofjoy to your feed and also check out her TedTalk. It’s short and sweet and may just inspire you to change things up at your house. #animalcrackerjoy (PS to my friends headed to @altsummit next month - @ingridfetell is speaking. Look her up in the app and let me know how it goes!)
Today’s edition of random stuff spotted while running - I feel the need to hashtag that #randomstuffspottedwhilerunning - is fabulous. Quite possibly the best gate ever.
Today’s edition of random stuff spotted while running - I feel the need to hashtag that #randomstuffspottedwhilerunning - is fabulous. Quite possibly the best gate ever.
Success at the @urbanharvesthouston tree sale!
Success at the @urbanharvesthouston tree sale!
In the category of random things spotted while running today.... 🏃🏻‍♀️🦎 Maybe Rapunzel’s friend, Pascal, got loose? Maybe 11 miles was too long for my brain. also, MAJOR THANK YOU to everyone who had contributed to my fundraiser for @gotr_greaterhouston . We are 80% there. That’s $800 raised for girls to participate in the program. Whoohoo!! Only two weeks left of me harassing you all on this topic and then back to biz as usual (whatever that means). Thank you notes are coming to those who donated. Get on it for those who haven’t. #houstonrunners - I’m talking to you!! Don’t know what to give? $5 is great, $10 better, $19.30 is $1 for every mile I will run doing the #fairytalechallenge in two weeks. Link to give is you know where. 👆 thank you all!! (PS costume 1 is in the bag. Working on costume 2. More to come.)
In the category of random things spotted while running today.... 🏃🏻‍♀️🦎 Maybe Rapunzel’s friend, Pascal, got loose? Maybe 11 miles was too long for my brain. also, MAJOR THANK YOU to everyone who had contributed to my fundraiser for @gotr_greaterhouston . We are 80% there. That’s $800 raised for girls to participate in the program. Whoohoo!! Only two weeks left of me harassing you all on this topic and then back to biz as usual (whatever that means). Thank you notes are coming to those who donated. Get on it for those who haven’t. #houstonrunners - I’m talking to you!! Don’t know what to give? $5 is great, $10 better, $19.30 is $1 for every mile I will run doing the #fairytalechallenge in two weeks. Link to give is you know where. 👆 thank you all!! (PS costume 1 is in the bag. Working on costume 2. More to come.)
Can there really ever be too many #kallax #shelfies ? Asking for a friend. (Also how much do you think I hate that vent in the wall? 🤬) #designdork #workspace #homeofficedecor
Can there really ever be too many #kallax #shelfies ? Asking for a friend. (Also how much do you think I hate that vent in the wall? 🤬) #designdork #workspace #homeofficedecor
These 3-5th graders begin their #girlsontherun journey today. I’m feeling pretty grateful that I get to run along side them. 🏃🏻‍♀️ On my long training run for #princesshalfmarathon this week, I listened to the @onbeing episode with @abbywambach and @glennondoyle . So much good stuff and so many ideas I’m still working to unpack. I totally encourage you to listen to it. BUT the one thing that is absolutely  relevant to this post has to do with @glennondoyle‘s first Love Flash Mob (seriously look this up if you don’t know what it’s all about). Glennon wanted to create a community of givers, so she limited the amount of each contribution in that first #loveflashmob to $25. She observed that people want to give, but get stuck on the amount and the timing and all sorts of other overthinking in the space between the ask and the actual give. Tell me that’s not spot on. 🏃🏻‍♀️ So. Here comes the ask. If you haven’t had a chance to support my #fairytalechallenge for @gotr_greaterhouston please please take a couple of minutes to do so now. The link is right there in my profile. 👆 Not sure what to give? $5 is perfect. Or if you are feeling generous, how about $1 for every mile I will run over #princessraceweekend ? That’s 19.2 miles or $19.20. Race dates are February 23-24. I’ll be thinking about all of you and all of these girls, and the girls you are helping to give access to #gotr while I run. 🏃🏻‍♀️ This is a cause that is so close to my heart. Thank you for supporting me and girls who need it. Happy Monday! 🏃🏻‍♀️
These 3-5th graders begin their #girlsontherun journey today. I’m feeling pretty grateful that I get to run along side them. 🏃🏻‍♀️ On my long training run for #princesshalfmarathon this week, I listened to the @onbeing episode with @abbywambach and @glennondoyle . So much good stuff and so many ideas I’m still working to unpack. I totally encourage you to listen to it. BUT the one thing that is absolutely relevant to this post has to do with @glennondoyle‘s first Love Flash Mob (seriously look this up if you don’t know what it’s all about). Glennon wanted to create a community of givers, so she limited the amount of each contribution in that first #loveflashmob to $25. She observed that people want to give, but get stuck on the amount and the timing and all sorts of other overthinking in the space between the ask and the actual give. Tell me that’s not spot on. 🏃🏻‍♀️ So. Here comes the ask. If you haven’t had a chance to support my #fairytalechallenge for @gotr_greaterhouston please please take a couple of minutes to do so now. The link is right there in my profile. 👆 Not sure what to give? $5 is perfect. Or if you are feeling generous, how about $1 for every mile I will run over #princessraceweekend ? That’s 19.2 miles or $19.20. Race dates are February 23-24. I’ll be thinking about all of you and all of these girls, and the girls you are helping to give access to #gotr while I run. 🏃🏻‍♀️ This is a cause that is so close to my heart. Thank you for supporting me and girls who need it. Happy Monday! 🏃🏻‍♀️


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© 2016 Animal Cracker Studio