Crispy Baked “Ziti” with Greens and Egg

This is definitely by far one of my best dishes yet…and my boyfriend, who doesn’t really like or eat ziti, LOVED it too. So there!

He is a meat eater and likes beef, chicken or shrimp in every dish. Though I do eat meat occasionally, I look to other foods for protein: beans, lentils, nuts and eggs. I didn’t want to add meat or fish to the ziti, so decided to add an egg- why not, right?! Turned out the be THE PERFECT addition to this italian-y healthy dish.

It’s just SO delicious…and healthy…and SO easy (and inexpensive) to make!!!

INGREDIENTS:
-One package of brown rice pasta (penne)
-Fresh Organic mozzarella (I used about organic 4 mozzarella sticks because it was the only cheese i had in my fridge)
-1 cup almond meal (flour made of ground up almonds. used in this recipe for a slight additional crunch and and browning effect…and for additional nutrition)
-Free-range eggs (1 per person)
-3 cups tomato sauce
-2 cloves garlic
-1 cup of Frozen or fresh greens of choice (spinach, kale, collards, peas)
-Sprinkle of fresh basil or dried basil
-Sprinkle of sea salt

DIRECTIONS:
1. Make pasta (and drain).

2. Pour cooked and drained pasta into baking pan.

3. Pour tomato sauce over and mix into pasta (tomato sauce can be left cold). Make your own with this tomato sauce recipe or buy a jar. Add sweet onions or garlic.

4. Add greens (spinach, kale, collards and/or peas).

5. Sprinkle almond meal on top for added crunch.

6. Make a hole for each egg.

7. Crack egg into a bowl and pour egg into hole carefully.

8. Broil on low until egg looks cooked (about 10 minutes). (Broil on low to ensure egg doesnt become rubbery).

9. Add mozzarella cheese until melted!

10. Sprinkle some basil for garnish and to top it off.

and….VOILA!

You and your guests will be so impressed at how delicious it is…and your body will thank you too. This recipe is easily digestible, satiating, high in protein, grains, fiber, nuts and greens!

be creative. be delicious. be well.
xoxo
be well,
arielle