Empire Update: Week of 8/10

Farfalle with spinach, mushrooms & carmelized onions

This simple, delicious dinner is an great way to add vegetables to your day and can be easily customized. Farfalle goes well with or without meat and you can substitute gluten-free pasta if you prefer.

Ingredients:

Carmelized Onions:
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 yellow onions, sliced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Creamy pasta sauce:
1 tablespoon olive oil
10 oz mushrooms, sliced
6 oz spinach
1 cup half-and-half
1 cup parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt

8oz farfalle pasta

Instructions:

First make the carmelized onions:
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in large skillet on medium-high heat.
Add sliced onions for 10 minutes, stirring constantly.
Reduce heat to medium for 10 more minutes, continuing to stire.
Reduce heat to medium/low heat for a final 10 minutes as onions brown.
Remove skillet from heat and sprinkle onions with balsamic vinegar to deglaze the pan. Move onions to a plate.

Then, cook your mushrooms & spinach:
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in same skillet on medium heat.
Add sliced mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes, until soft.
Add fresh spinach to skillet and stir on low just until wilted.

Next, the creamy pasta sauce:
Add half-and-half to the mushroom/spinach combo and bring to a quick boil. Reduce to simmer.
Add 2/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese and 1/4 tablespoon salt, continuing to stir until cheese melts.
Add carmelized onions back to skillet with the sauce.

Lastly, add your cooked pasta to the skillet and stir on low heat for a couple minutes until well blended. Enjoy!

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Exercise of the Week: Glute Stretch

Stretching our glutes can relieve tension & tightness, as well as increase flexibility and reducing our risk of injury. Try this stretch this week!