When I came across the idea of a vegan corn cream sauce, it seemed too perfect not to try. I love the play of the sweet corn kernels against a slightly smoky chipotle kick, balanced out with hearty kale and zesty basil. I served this with maple roasted delicata squash on the side, which I chopped up and threw right in when I reheated it the next night. Very nice either way.
I am not a huge pasta-monger, but will enjoy some whole-wheat ribbons every once in awhile- as a comforting treat. I tried this out with gluten-free quinoa pagoda pasta as well and enjoyed it just as much, for those of you avoiding gluten.
A warning about corn- just like soy and wheat, corn is a commodity crop in the US, so it is important to be careful about your sources. It is extremely common for corn to be grown from GMO'd seeds, so when shopping at your local farmers market or farm stand this summer, make sure to ask the grower if their corn is GMO-free. The organic label will guarantee this practice, but I have found there are many farmers out there without the certification that make a point to avoid GMO seeds, so it is more a matter of having that conversation. Not to get preachy, just wanted to share that information, for the health of our soil, seeds, bodies and agricultural future.
Basil Fettuccine
in Sweet and Smoky Corn Cream
Serves 8
Ingredients
1.5 c almonds, soaked
overnight, skins removed
1.5 cups corn kernels,
blanched (can use frozen if out of season)
1 cup water
or vegetable stock
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large garlic clove, minced
1/2 a small onion
juice and zest of 1/2 a lemon
1/4 -1/2 tsp.
salt, to taste
½ tsp chipotle powder
8 oz. whole wheat fettuccine or
gluten-free pasta
2 cups corn kernels, blanched
(can use frozen if out of season)
1 bunch kale, stems removed and
sliced into strips
½ cup basil, sliced into strips
Salt to taste
Directions
Directions
Place
almonds through chipotle powder in a blender and blend until smooth, scraping
down the sides as necessary. Taste and adjust with honey for sweetness, lemon juice for
tartness, oil for richness and chipotle powder for smoky heat. And, of course,
salt to taste.
Cook pasta according to directions. In the last minute of
cooking time, add the kale ribbons, and stir. Drain and rinse. Return to pot
and add whole corn kernels and basil. Toss with corn cream and additional
liquid to reach your desired texture and flavor. I like mine with a nice
coating of thicker sauce and dose of salt, with an extra pinch of red pepper flakes. If reheating, additional
liquid may be necessary, as it tends to thicken up.
Relax. Eat Well.
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