One woman's foray into cooking for herself, for her family, and for her friends. It's not always picture-perfect, sometimes a little messy,
but it's always delicious. Join me in exploring new recipes, savoring the "résultats" and learning from the "erreurs".



Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Pasta with Walnut Sauce

By the time I get home from work, I'm usually starving. To keep myself from snacking, I need dinner... QUICK! This is the fastest meal I have in my repertoire. The walnut sauce is super simple and super delicious. You just won't believe how good it is. Try it and let me know what you think!!

Pasta with Walnut Sauce
Recipe courtesy Nigella Lawson

Prep Time: 5 min
Inactive Prep Time: 0 min
Cook Time: 15 min
Level: Easy
Serves: 8 to 10 servings

Ingredients
6 ounces shelled walnuts
1/2 clove garlic, minced
1 slice bread, crusts removed
2/3 cup whole milk
1 ounce grated Parmesan, plus more for garnish
3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil (preferably Ligurian)
Salt and pepper
2 pounds any flat short pasta
1/2 cup chopped Italian parsley, for garnish

Directions
Put a large saucepan of water on to boil, and toast the walnuts in a dry frying pan until they begin to make a nutty aroma. (Note: DO NOT eliminate the step of toasting the walnuts. It adds so much more flavor to the sauce.) Put the bread in a bowl and cover with the milk. Put most of the toasted walnuts (reserving about 1 ounce for garnish) into a blender along with the garlic, bread soaked in milk, and Parmesan. Blend until it turns smooth and creamy, then pour in the oil and season well with salt and pepper before blending again. Pour into a bowl, and set aside.

Add pasta to boiling water with salt and cook for the required amount of time. When pasta is al dente, reserve a cup of the pasta cooking liquid and then drain the pasta, but put it in to a large bowl while it's still dripping slightly with water. Sprinkle a little olive oil over the pasta to prevent it sticking together, and then add the walnut sauce, mixing it into the pasta (splash in a little pasta cooking liquid to make the sauce less thick if needed).

Roughly chop the remaining walnuts and toss them over the top along with some more Parmesan and the chopped parsley.

16 comments:

Coleens Recipes said...

This is such a different recipe! It sounds delicious but I certainly would never have thought of a walnut sauce over pasta. I am anxious to try this. Thank you for sharing!

MaryBeth said...

I can totally relate on the starving and it's late... I love quick cooking dinners but yet dinners with massive flavor. This looks fabulous dear!

Thibeault's Table said...

Lori, I'm impressed that you got home so late and still cooked that delicious looking dinner.

Martha said...

I'll have to try this -- I have several Nigella recipes from her TV show that I like -- I just can't get myself into her books!

Unknown said...

Well I'll be getting the walnuts out of the freezer and giving this a try. Thanks Lori
Happy Twirls

Alisa@Foodista said...

Lori what a great recipe! Im making this for lunch today!Adding walnuts sounds perfect!Hope you wont mind but I'd love to guide Foodista readers to your site, just add this little widget here to this post and it's all set to go, Thanks!

La Table De Nana said...

I will try it! For sure..I have thought of it and never have..so it's being printed up now..it looks deelicious! We had pastat too last night:)

Ry @ Sotto Il Monte Vineyards said...

This looks wonderful Lori. I agree with the toasting the walnuts. It adds so much more flavor.

Foodiewife said...

I don't have to make this to know that this is delicious! I agree-- when I'm hungry and tired and I want something very fast to eat-- pasta! You can never go wrong. Great recipe!

Sand Hill Art said...

I can't wait to try this. Pesto, and tomatoes get boring after a while, don't they?

Unknown said...

This looks amazing. I will definitely be trying it!

chow and chatter said...

looks lovely nice blog, will come back

Anonymous said...

Hi Lori - I followed your blog from Ann's! It all looks great!

I will be trying this recipe out for sure.

Stacy from CF

Dazy said...

This recipe is really going to keep me busy in the kitchen with all its glamor.
This is another must for the weekend! My kids would just hug me for this.

Rosie said...

Tried this sauce over cheese filled ravioli- very interesting. It complemented the pasta quite well, and although our bowls weren't that full, everyone's stomach was bursting by the end of the meal. Definitely a good recipe to cure hunger. :)

Pan, Amor... y Fantasía said...

This recipe looks both delicious, highly nutritious and very handy on busy days. I'll try it. Thanks for sharing! Greetings from Spain.

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