A whole new healthy way to do “Easy Mac”

This was made with whole wheat farfalle (bowties/butterflies) instead of soba.  Soba are similar to linguine in shape, but are a little softer when cooked.

Sometimes all we want is a little comfort food.  Here is a new, healthy and homemade version of Easy Mac that can be made in a flash. The simplicity, ease and certainly taste gives the blue box a run for its money. The recipe calls for soba noodles, a Japanese noodle made from buckwheat that is super healthy and hearty and cooks in just 3-4 four minutes in boiling water.  You can substitute regular or whole wheat pasta (bowties or shells work great with the peas), just keep in mind that pasta takes 10-12 minutes to cook.

“Easy Mac” the Healthy and Gourmet Way (serves 1 but can easily be doubled, tripled, etc.)

2-3 oz. creamy chevre (goat cheese)

2/3-1 cup frozen green peas

1 serving soba noodles (Japanese buckwheat)

Juice from 1-2 slices lemon

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions: Fill a medium size saucepan with water and bring to a boil.  Add the soba noodles and cook for 3-4 minutes. While the noodles cook, run the peas under hot water until thawed.  Mix peas, cheese, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a small bowl and mash with a fork.  When the noodles are done, drain, reserving about ½ cup of the water.  Put back in pan over low heat and add the mashed pea and cheese mixture.  Stir to coat the noodles, adding as much pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency. 

(You can puree the cheese mixture in a food processor too if you have one.  Leave a few peas out to make it chunky. Adding spinach is another good addition for an extra healthy kick!)