We've been trying to eat vegetarian at home for a little while now, and obviously this comes with experimenting with a whole host of new recipes. When you're also lactose free, as I am at the moment (just trying to rule out an allergy), it's a little more effort to discover the best things out there, but this weekend we cooked up some Mac and Peas, which I just had to share. This recipe is quick, easy and nutritious as well as being a great take on the favorite comfort food.
This recipe is from the River Cottage Veg Everyday by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and serves 4500g peas or petit pois (fresh or frozen)
300g small macaroni or other small pasta shapes
50g butter/oil
1 garlic clove chopped
25g Parmesan or hard goat's cheese, coarsely grated, plus extra / lactose free if you need
to serve sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
shredded basil, to serve
Bring a large pan of salt water to the boil for your pasta. Simmer the peas for a few minutes until tender. If you are using older fresh peas this will take a little longer. Whilst the peas are on, cook your pasta in the large pan until al dente.
Whilst the peas and pasta are cooking away, melt the butter in a pan over low heat and add the chopped garlic just for a minute or two. You don't want it to brown as that would make it bitter. Take off the heat.
When the peas are cooked, drain them, but keep the cooking water.
Put about half the peas, the melted garlic butter and the grated cheese in a blender together with about 6tbsp of the pea cooking water and blitz until you have a smooth and loose puree.
You can add more water if needed. Add the remaining whole peas and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Drain the pasta and mix with the hot pea sauce straight away. Serve topped with extra grated cheese and shredded basil if desired. Enjoy!
Serve with bread and salad. We cracked some SodaFolk drinks to add to the whole American diner feel. They're worth it just for the packaging, so pretty and the natural pure ingredients made them the perfect addition to this 'healthified' meal!
What do you think of this recipe?
