Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Ziti with Pistachio Cream Sauce

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April seemed two months long, May seemed two weeks long, and here we are in June. Need I tell you that I am perpetually confused? Honestly, I have no idea what day it is, least of all month. Saturday morning, when I took a look at my June calendar, I was shocked to see that, on the second, I had an appointment with my tax preparer. I was pretty busy over the weekend, as you can imagine. When I got home after the appointment, the last thing I wanted to do was cook (although, truth be told, I haven’t much been in the mood for it anyway). So, I was looking for something that would be tasty, satisfying, and on the table in 30 minutes. This was it! You can make it easy on yourself, and use absolutely any kind of pasta. While the pasta cooks, you make the sauce, and, oh, what deliciousness! The toasted pistachios give this a wonderful richness. Keep this in mind for your vegetarian friends or Meatless Monday. It’s a winner!

Ziti with Pistachio Cream Sauce

8 oz. ziti (or pasta of your choice)
5 T. butter, divided
½ t. salt, or to taste
2 T. freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 c. heavy cream, warmed
½ c. freshly grated Parmesan

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a heaping tablespoon of salt, then add pasta, and cook according to “al dente” directions on box.

While the pasta is cooking, make the sauce. In a
9” sauté pan, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter. Sauté the pistachios for 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer pistachios to a food processor (I used my mini ninja), and pulse until minced. Remove 1 tablespoon for garnish. Melt the 4 tablespoons of remaining butter, and add to the food processor, along with garlic, oil, salt, and lemon juice. Pulse again until thoroughly blended.

Pour the nut mixture back into the sauté pan, turn the heat to low, and add the warmed heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Stir occasionally while pasta finishes cooking.
When pasta has finished cooking, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, drain the pasta, and immediately add to the sauté pan, tossing well to coat. Add pasta water, a little at a time, until desired creaminess is reached. Serve immediately garnished with reserved pistachios and a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese.

Heartily serves two, lightly serves four.




6 comments:

  1. Creamy, nutty and so flavourful...any pasta would taste amazing with this sauce!

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  2. This looks and sounds absolutely delicious. I have a couple of breaded veal patties that I’m thinking of adding as I get tired of the same old thing. Thank you for yet another yummy recipe. Also, what does your table look like? You haven’t posted any tablescapes lately. Stay safe!

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  3. This is what I want for dinner tonight - ...or at least in the next week...wow everything about it looks and sounds good. I am going through the same thing - Trash day now comes every 4 days it seems and the months seem like two weeks. And 2020 so far is so darn weird.

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  4. Patti,
    That looks like quite a gourmet meal considering you whipped it together in just 30 minutes. I love the idea of the pistachios on the pasta. Not only do I not know what day it is half the time, I haven't even been keeping a calendar because we are not going anywhere.

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  5. Wow. Do I need to make this. Thanks for sharing.
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

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  6. Made this for dinner tonight...delicious! I have a feeling this will be a regular in my house.
    I don't think I have tried any of your recipes that wasn't excellent.

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Thank you so much for commenting, I love every one of them! I am, however, unable to respond to anonymous comments.