Creamy Cashew-Miso Pasta with Peas and Fava Beans {gluten-free, vegan option}
This tastes just like classic fettuccine alfredo, but without the dairy (or with just a touch if you top it with parmesan like we do).
Prep Time: 15 minutesminutes
Cook Time: 15 minutesminutes
Total: 30 minutesminutes
Servings: 4servings
Ingredients
Sauce:
1/2cupcashews, soaked in cool water 4-12 hours and drained(75 g)
zest of 1 large lemon
2tablespoonslemon juice(30 ml)
1tablespoonwhite miso paste(15 ml)
1large garlic clove
1/4teaspoondijon mustard
1tablespoonextra-virgin olive oil(15 ml)
1/4teaspoonsalt, or to taste
1/2cupfresh water(120 ml)
Pasta:
1poundfava beans(455 g)
1poundfresh shelling peas(455 g)
12ouncesdry pasta such as linguine or spaghetti(340 g)
1small bunch chives, snipped
freshly grated parmesan or pecorino (optional)
black pepper
Instructions
To make the sauce, place the drained cashews in the bowl of a blender and add the lemon zest and juice, miso, garlic, mustard, oil, salt, and half of the water. Blend on low to combine, increasing the speed to high and gradually adding the remaining water. Blend until silky-smooth, about 3 minutes total, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Meanwhile, prepare the vegetables. Shell the fava beans and peas, keeping them separate. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Drop in the favas and cook until the skins are loose, about 2 minutes. Use a slotted spoon or strainer to fish out the favas and place them in a bowl filled with ice and cool water to stop the cooking. Slip the favas from their outer skin, discarding the skins and reserving the beans. If the beans aren't cooked through, you can blanch them a second time or saute them in a bit of olive oil; mine don't usually need this. Drop the peas into the boiling water and cook until bright green and crisp tender, 1-2 minutes. Fish out the peas and place them in the cool water bath to stop the cooking.
Add the pasta to the pot and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Drain the pasta well, return it to the now empty pot, and add the reserved sauce, cooked peas and favas, and chives, tossing gently to coat and adding a splash of the reserved pasta water if needed. Divide the pasta among plates or shallow bowls, and top with pepper and cheese, if you like.
The pasta is best freshly made, but the sauce can be prepared a day ahead, and the peas and favas can be shelled and blanched a day ahead, too.
Notes
Feel free to switch up the vegetables if peas or favas aren't around and use a bunch of slivered asparagus in their place.I like Bionaturae Gluten-Free Linguine here, but any pasta will be lovely.Adapted from The Love and Lemons Cookbook.Nutritional values are based on one of four servings.