BLT Pasta

Another fabulous recipe from Real Simple Mag. BLT stands for Bacon Lettuce & Tomato Sandwich. The sandwich usually consists of bacon, lettuce, tomato & mayonaise and is usually fried up or toasted in a pan on the stove. This recipe is very similar to the sandwich except the sandwich bread is replaced with rigatoni or penne (or any pasta of your choice. Tonight, I'm using spaghetti.) and the mayonaise is omited. This is great for a fast week night meal. Serve with a crisp salad and crusty bread. YUM

By conversion, I'm Jewish. I could never give up my bacon though! I just love it too much. However if you are trying to steer clear of pork for whatever reason or if you just don't have bacon in your fridge, try using a slices of smoked luncheon/deli meat like turkey or chicken. I hear that it gives the same kind of effect as bacon.

Unfortunately, the commissary fails to carry arugala leaves. These used to be my favorite salad leaf back in the states because of the peppery/nutty flavor. I've had to replace the arugula with baby spinach since in Japan. You may favor to do the same.

16 ounces of rigantoni or penne
12 slices of bacon
1-7 ounce package of arugala leaves
1 pint of grape or cherry tomatoes quartered
3/4 tsp. kosher salt (I used sea salt or regular salt!)
1/4 tsp. black pepper

Cook the bacon first and place on paper towels to drain grease. This way you can get it "out of the way". While cooking the bacon, set a pot of water for the pasta to boil, cook pasta and drain.

Reserve bacon grease but leave some in the pan to keep arugala from sticking. (Be sure not to just keep the grease in the pan. The arugala will absorb all the grease and Leaving you with slimy arugala and tomatoes sticking to the pan) Return skillet to medium heat. Add the arugula and stir until it wilts, 30 to 60 seconds. Transfer the arugula to the pasta.

Add some reserved bacon grease to the pan. Return skillet to medium heat and cook tomatoes for 2 minutes. Transfer the tomatoes to the pasta and arugula and toss. If the pasta seems dry, add more of the reserved bacon grease. Crumble the bacon over the top, season with the salt and pepper, and toss again. Serves about 4 ENJOY!!