Monday, March 4, 2013

Asparagus, Feta and Oregano Pasta (plus a tasting box and discount coupon from Gourmet Spotting!)

Asparagus, Feta and Oregano Pasta

A few weeks ago I was contacted by Gourmet Spotting, a subscription service that sends out monthly curated tasting boxes. Each contains between 4 and 6 gourmet products sourced from eco-friendly, organic and fair trade companies. In addition, every time they ship out a box, they donate a meal to charity.

Asparagus, Feta and Oregano Pasta
They requested that I review one of the boxes and they also offered to provide a discount coupon to my readers. Sounded like fun! When it arrived I unpacked my treasures and found a bottle of organic white truffle oil, a package of fresh orecchiette pasta, organic sun dried oregano from Italy, a bottle of Classic Gold hot sauce and two espresso dulce de leche brownies from Whimsy & Spice in Brooklyn, NY. The box also included descriptions and origins of all the goodies as well as recipe suggestions. But as soon as I smelled the wonderfully fragrant oregano, I had my own idea of what to cook.

Asparagus, Feta and Oregano Pasta
I love the combination of oregano, olive oil and feta cheese that's typically found in Greek salads. So, why not combine those into a pasta dish?  The fresh orecchiette pasta cooked quickly and had a lovely texture. While the water was boiling, I mixed some of the fresh oregano with olive oil and crumbled feta and let the flavors meld. I had some beautiful asparagus in the fridge so I sliced it thinly and added it to the finished dish. Fragrant and absolutely delicious. It made me wish I had another package of that pasta to cook the next day.

Ingredients
1 lb. Orecchiette pasta, cooked and drained
3 Tablespoons olive oil
1/2 Cup feta cheese, crumbled
1 Teaspoon thyme
4 Spears asparagus, washed and sliced thinly
Salt and pepper to taste

Asparagus, Feta and Oregano Pasta
In a bowl, combine the olive oil, feta cheese and thyme and allow to sit for a few minutes while you cook the pasta. Add the cooked and drained pasta to the bowl along with the asparagus. Toss to combine and season to taste. Makes approximately 4 servings.




Take a look at Gourmet Spotting's web site to see if their monthly boxes might tempt you.  And if you do feel like trying them out, be sure and use code HUNGRYCOUPLE10 to get $10 off.

Note that I received a complimentary gourmet box to review but was not compensated in any other way.  The recipe and opinions are my own. 

19 comments:

  1. ahhh I am so jealous! That basket of goodies sounds amazing!

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  2. This is my type of pasta dish! Sounds absolutely divine.

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  3. I'm a sucker.... can't wait to get my box :)

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  4. What a fun box of goodies, and what a delicious pasta! Thank you for sharing. A lovely post to go along with my latte and cinnamon raisin bread. I hope you have a beautiful week!

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  5. Yum! I love simple pastas like this!

    And Gourmet Spotting sounds delicious!!!

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  6. Lucky you to get that box of goodies. Orecchiette is my favorite pasta. It's the perfect size, texture, and base for so many great pasta dishes. I'll have to try your recipe with the bag of orecchiette I have in my pantry right now.

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  7. Ooh, yes! This is the type of pasta dish I love!

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  8. That looks delicious! I pinned it - you know, your recipes that I have pinned are getting more action this week than.....well, they are getting lots of action! :)

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  9. Hi Anita, thank you for your sweet and caring words. I love receiving treats and goodies like the one you got. I happen to have a bag of fresh-dried orechiette pasta in my cupboard, which I only use to make with broccoli rabe with. Now, I have a new recipe...thanks to your delicious recipe! xo

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  10. Looks yummy,love the orecchiette, i usually make my own!

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  11. Oh wow! I would never leave my house if some of these wonderful products came right to me! Yum! Asparagus and feta.... sold!

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  12. Gourmet goodies arriving at your door is the uktimate indulgence. Love your pics!

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  13. Hi! I’m new follower of your blog and would like to invite you to join me at my weekly Clever Chicks Blog Hop:

    http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/03/clever-chicks-blog-hop-24-and-three.html



    I hope you can make it!



    Cheers,

    Kathy Shea Mormino

    The Chicken Chick

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  14. I love food sampling boxes. Trying new things is so much fun. Your pasta looks so yummy! Asparagus means spring right?

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  15. This looks wonderful! Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday. Please stop back by Sunday to vote.

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  16. Oregano is one of my favorite herbs. In fact, I have an oregano plant in my little herb garden. These flavors go well together. I will have to give this a try sometime. Pinned for future reference. Stopping by from Sunflower Supper Club. Hope you have a great Sunday!

    Julie @ This Gal Cooks

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  17. Hi Anita! I truly enjoy looking through your recipes and amazing food photos! That is why I've nominated you for the Liebster Award! This is an award to honor other great food blogs in this huge food blogging community! I hope you'll accept the award and continue to honor other food bloggers by passing this award on to your favorite food blogs! You find more info here on my blog post about this award...
    http://myrecipejourney-lillian.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-liebster-award.html


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  18. What fun to receive such delicious treats in the mail! You did them justice with your pasta dish.

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