Spaghetti Marinara!

This has to be one of my favourite pastas of all times.... simple, yet totally tasty and yet pretty healthy! Spaghetti Marinara! I cooked dinner for my friend last night, and was thinking of a fast, no-meat dish that would not be entirely boring and yet totally yummy to make!

I cheated and bought pre-cut up and already prepared marinara mix (this one was bought from our local gourmet grocers called Limes, in Melville) - this one was great, full of REAL seafood, rather than all the cocktail stuff which doesnt necessary taste much like seafood.

So here it goes.............

• Boil spaghetti whilst you cook the marinara sauce
  
• Heat some oil up in a deep pan
• When warm, fry with chopped garlic (I really do recommend the fresh garlic - one, it doesnt "spit" at you as much when frying and tastes just so much better than the bottled ones) till slightly brown - then fry the seafood.
• Okay, if you were to prepare the seafood yourself without any marinate, just marinate it with fresh parsley and garlic and perhaps some salt
• Dont overcook the seafood as you will be cooking it off again later
• When 80-90% cooked, take the seafood out and place it aside
• Now in the same pan, toss in canned tomatos and add salt, pepper to taste and also a couple of tablespoon of tomato paste - I find this just makes the sauce so much richer and tastier!
• Last night I added in a little water, but for an even richer sauce, dont add water and if you need more liquid, add more chopped canned tomatos
• Chuck in fresh basil
• Then toss in the already cooked seafood, together with any remaining "juice" and simmer for a few mins to ensure seafood is cooked through and also warmed up
• Lastly, toss in some spinach for your vegetable intake!

Honestly, it only takes about 30mins and you have a lovely, fresh and tasty healthy meal! :)