It seems to me like it had been a while since I’d enjoyed a good pasta dish. I don’t think I’ve eaten pasta at all this summer. Or have I?
If I have, it wasn’t all that often, because I honestly can’t remember the last time…
Somehow, that feels strange. I used to be extremely big on pasta. In fact, I liked it so much, it wouldn’t have bothered me to have it 5-6 times a week… Of course, I used to like my pasta with lots of heavy sauces and especially enjoyed those that had booze, or cream, or tons of cheese in them.
Now of course, all that’s changed. I’ve now switched to whole grain, and heavy sauces are a thing of the past. I now favor a much lighter approach! And, while I still like my pasta very much, I find I don’t crave it quite as much. Of course, this might change now that the colder wheather is here…
Speaking of colder weather… sadly, it also brings shorter days. And as days get shorter, the beautiful, natural light that used to light up my kitchen when I got back from work is a thing of the past (and of the future too, thankfully!)
This makes me extremely sad. I hate working with artificial light, but sadly, I won’t have a choice for the next 6 months or so. It’s either that, or reduce my posts to 2, maybe 3 a week. I can’t do this. I think I would go into extreme withdrawal! 
So I will have to make do with what I have. Very little natural light on the week-ends, and nothing but darkness on week nights. For the time being, I’ve decided to not even bother with week nights, as it’s way too dark and I won’t get satisfactory results. I’d rather not post anything than post pictures that do not reflect the passion that I have for food.
This is the first series of pictures that I’ve shot with the assistance of artificial lighting. While I can’t say I am 100% happy with them, unless I quit my day job or start working night shifts, I’m afraid that this is the best I can do for now.
Hopefully, my skills with artificial lighting will improve overtime. In the meantime, please bear with me while I adjust and learn…
The food is still just as good and healthy, I promise!
CHICKEN AND SUNDRIED TOMATO PASTA
INGREDIENTS
(serves 3-4)
- 275g Whole Grain Spaghetti (or other long pasta)
- 2 small chicken breasts (about 300g total)
- 85g sundried tomatoes (not in oil, but nice and plump and bright red)
- 20-25 kalamata olives, chopped
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2-3 tbsp fresh parmesan cheese, grated
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2-3 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- about ½ cup pasta cooking liquid
INSTRUCTIONS
- Cook the pasta according to instructions on package. Make sure to keep at least ½ cup of cooking liquid when pasta is cooked.
- While pasta is cooking, cut chicken in bite size cubes and cook in skillet over medium high heat until golden brown on all sides.
- Chop sundried tomatoes and kalamata olives and add to cooked chicken. Give that a quick stir and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add drained pasta, parmesan cheese, olive oil, salt and pepper, fresh parsley and ¼ cup of the pasta cooking liquid. Toss delicately to combine. Add more cooking liquid if necessary.
- Serve immediately and garnish with more chopped parsley and grated parmesan if desired
It looks great! Your shots remain magazine-worthy. Funny…I was craving pasta too. I literally just finished a dinner of penne with fresh roasted tomato sauce, spinach, and garlicky shrimp, and I sat down to read this! Makes me want another helping…
I’m also missing the long hours of daylight. I’m at a stage where I know I only get the shots I want with natural light. I find 3pm to be the best lately.
That is so nice of you to say Lauren! Thank you so very much. That makes me feel a lot better. God I HATE artificial light. How I wish I could be at home every day at 3pm.
Your pasta dish sounds heavenly! Will you be posting pictures and recipe?
You got me craving pasta again…
I am terrible at posting savory dishes and dinners, because too often I’m dying to eat them! You have to let me know how you have the willpower to set up such delicious looking shoots…and to take the time to photograph them so well before eating! You may just inspire me to get past that, though
LOL! It’s not always that easy, but the worse is when I do breakfast bakes and I am staving because, well, you know, it’s BREAKFAST! I often end up taking very few “intact” photos and quite a lot “one or two bites into”, or halfway through. It’s not unusual for me to almost finish a meal right there on the spot, camera in one hand, fork or spoon in the other!
I agree with Lauren – your pictures ROCK! I had no idea you used artificial light for these pictures!
Oh, thank you so much, Monique. That is music to my ears!
Beautiful and warm photos! I am sad the sun sets so early since I take a bunch of pics at night around dinner…not going to work for me soon! I need to come up with a set up to see how it turns out for me, I am not a fan of artifical light either (esp since natural light is just so easy!) but you could never tell you used them with this pasta dish! You’ve got it figured my friend!
Well, I am using artificial lighting as a secondary source only, NOT as my primary source. I don’t take pictures after work any more, it’s just too dark and I know I wouldn’t be happy with the results. That means WAY more cooking on the weekend! But on the bright sides, my week nights are
pretty quiet nownot quite as hectic anymore… Thanks for the compliment though… for I still hate having to use artificial light and I am not extremely happy with the results. It’s good to read that my art is still pleasing to the eye!Have you started thinking about the kind of set up that you’ll be using? Could it not be summer already?
This sounds delicious! I made dinner last night with similar ingredients but used spaghetti squash. I try to stay away from pasta also and I have found that spaghetti squash is a great alternative! Even the kids loved it!
I looooove spaghetti squash. Funny, I just had some too and will be posting about it fairly soon! I admit that this combination of chicken, sun dried tomatoes and olives must be brilliant with spaghetti squash. I oughta give it a try someday!
I made this tonight and it was amazing! I am not a great cook and this was so so good. My husband loved it too. 5 Stars for you..
Thank you!
Alright! Real happy to know, Jennifer! Thank you for the awesome feedback, I truly appreciate that!
Are the sun dried tomatoes dry or were they supposed to be stored in the il and then taked out?
I prefer to use the “dry” variety, but you could also use the “in oil” variety if you wanted to. It won’t change the outcome of the recipe at all.
I have been craving pasta with sun dried tomatoes. Your recipe is not only healthy, but, I looks as though it will taste delicious. I cannot wait to try this recipe tonight. Your pictures look amazing. The color of the pasta against the tomatoes really make eating healthy seem fun.
Wow, thank you so much Nina! That is so nice of you to say! Glad the pictures inspire you to try this dish, and I really hope it lives up to your expectations!
Let me know how you liked it, I’d appreciate that very much!