Walnut, fennel pasta dish has layers of flavors

This light vegetable dish features toasted walnuts and fennel. Fennel gives this dish an anise or licorice flavor. It's a large white bulb with celerylike stems and green, feathery leaves. The leaves and fennel seeds add another layer of flavor to the dish. Toasting the walnuts intensifies the walnuts flavor.

Helpful Hints

' Any type of whole wheat pasta can be used.

' Walnuts can be toasted in a toaster oven or under the broiler.

' Snip the fennel leaves from the fennel stems with a scissors.

Countdown

' Place water for pasta on to boil.

' Prepare ingredients.

' Cook pasta.

' Complete recipe.

WALNUT AND FENNEL PASTA

Yield 2 servings

1/2 cup walnuts

6 teaspoons olive oil, divided use

1 1/2 cups fennel cubes

1 1/2 cups diced onion

2 teaspoons minced garlic

1 tablespoon fennel seeds

1 1/2 cups canned, reduced-sodium diced tomatoes

1/4 pound whole wheat spaghetti

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons chopped fennel leaves

Place a large saucepan with 3 to 4 quarts water on to boil for spaghetti. Coarsely chop walnuts and toast them for 1 to 2 minutes. Watch to make sure they do not burn. Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the fennel and onion. Saute 5 minutes stirring or until onion turns golden. Recued heat to medium and add the garlic and fennel seeds and saute another 3 to 4 minutes. Add the diced tomatoes and continue to cook 2 to 3 minutes.

Meanwhile, as soon as the water comes to a rolling boil, add the spaghetti and cook 8 to 9 minutes or according to package instructions. Drain and add to the skillet. Add the remaining 4 teaspoons olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Toss well. Sprinkle walnuts and fennel leaves on top. Divide between 2 dinner plates.

Per serving: 630 calories (50 percent from fat), 34.9 g fat (3.4 g saturated, 11.9 g monounsaturated), no cholesterol, 19.9 g protein, 70.7 g carbohydrates, 16.4 g fiber, 67 mg sodium

Source: Linda Gassenheimer