Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

½    cup dry sun-dried tomatoes

1½  cups evaporated skim milk

1½  cups low-fat cottage cheese

1 or 2 garlic cloves, minced

½    teaspoon Celtic salt

½    teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

⅛    teaspoon hot red pepper flakes

¾    cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

2     tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

16    ounces uncooked whole-grain pasta

¾    cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

Place the sun-dried tomatoes in a medium saucepan and add enough water to cover; place over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Let stand for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain, and discard the water. Chop the tomatoes. Combine the evaporated milk, cottage cheese, garlic, salt, black pepper, hot red pepper flakes, and Parmesan cheese in a food processor container and process until smooth. Add the olive oil and pulse until well blended. Pour the mixture into a saucepan and warm over low heat; do not boil. Cook the pasta in boiling water in a saucepan; drain. Place the hot pasta in a large serving bowl. Pour the cottage cheese mixture over the pasta and sprinkle with tomatoes and basil.

Yield: 8 servings

Adapted from a recipe found on RecipeArchive.com

Choose whole-grain products! Besides bread, you should be able to find wholegrain pasta, whole-grain muffins and bagels, and whole-grain pretzels. If the label on these products does not read “whole wheat” or “whole grain,” you should assume that the product is made completely or partially with refined flour.