Gluten-Free Pasta Primavera
Gluten-Free Pasta Primavera
Primavera! That's Italian for "lightly sauteed springtime vegetables." Traditionally made with a not-so-light creamy cheese sauce, this recipe transforms the dish into a healthier and tastier version.
A more delicate cream sauce is created from a base of cashew butter. The combination of Dijon, lemon, chicken broth, garlic and onions combine to yield an aromatic flavor that will delight everyone at your table.
Ingredients
2 cups fresh or frozen broccoli florets
3 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 cup 1/4-inch-thick half-moon slices onion
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups 1/4-inch-thick sliced white mushrooms
1 cup 1/4-inch-thick sliced carrots
1 cup 1/4-inch-thick sliced red bell peppers
1 cup unsalted chicken broth
3 tablespoons cashew butter
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 package of lentil pasta cooked according to package instructions*
Preparation
Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Add the broccoli and cook until bright green, tender-crisp and slightly undercooked, 2 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms, carrots and peppers, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the carrots are fork tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Combine with the broccoli.
Prepare the pasta in a separate pot.
Bring the chicken broth to a boil in a medium saucepan; immediately reduce the heat to low and whisk in the cashew butter until the mixture is smooth. Stir in 1 teaspoon of the lemon juice and the mustard, and season with salt and pepper. Gently toss with the vegetables.
Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over high heat; add the zucchini and cook, stirring occasionally, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1 teaspoon lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.
Serve the the pasta on plates or large bowls topped with veggies and sauce mixture.
Do not prepare pasta too early or the noodles will have to sit, which can make them become mushy.
Serves 4.