Yum 1: Beans and Pasta

Beans and pasta. Odd, no? But this is really good:

1) Pour some olive oil in a skillet
2) Saute a leek or half an onion with several garlic cloves
3) Add red pepper flakes
4) Add sweet red or yellow bell pepper (diced or cut into little strips)
5) Add a handful of sliced grape tomatoes
5) Add a little salt and some black pepper
6) Add bitter greens (I use escarole, radicchio and endive, which you can buy separately or in Dole's Mediterranean mix)
7) Add half a can of cannellini beans (a creamy favorite in Italy)
8) Add some pine nuts
9) If you choose, you can also add a few drops of really good balsamic vinegar (by really good, I mean one of those little $50 bottles where each drop is thick and sweet)
10) Cook 15-20 minutes

While you're making the "sauce," boil some rigatoni. When it's done, toss it into the skillet with the sauce. Add reg-parm cheese. It's a great winter pasta because its so freakin hearty.