Pasta with Spinach and Almonds

I've been making this dish since before my husband and I were married- in fact, I think it was the first thing I ever cooked for my inlaws! I wonder if they wondered where the meat was? I love that it's a vegetarian dish, but I know that although my husband thinks it's yummy, he wishes I'd add chicken. Of course, you could, but I'm stubborn, I like it without! My mom gave me this recipe (although I never remember her making it), and I've made some modifications to make it "mine".

Pasta with Spinach and Almonds

Ingredients:

8 ounces uncooked pasta (penne, elbows, etc)

3 tbsp olive oil

3 cloves garlic, minced

8 ounces fresh spinach

3 plum tomatoes- removed seeds and dice

1/2 cup almonds, toasted

1/4 cup raisins

1 cup vegetable boulion cube in 1/4 cup water

1/2 cup grated parmasean cheese

salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. -Boil salted water and cook pasta per package directions.
2. -Heat 1/4 cup water and dissolve boulion cube in it (may not completely dissolve), making a broth concentrate (just heat in microwave for 30 seconds).
3. -In large sauce pan, over medium heat, heat olive oil.
4. -Add garlic, saute for one minute.
5. -Add spinach, raisins and vegetable broth concentrate. Stir with tongs until spinach just wilts.
6. -Add tomatoes to mixture and toss to warm them. Remove from heat.
7. -When pasta is cooked, add to spinach mixture. Also add almonds and parmasean cheese at this time.
8. ENJOY!!

And YES, I do enjoy pasta dishes...and these swirly noodles are my favorite right now!