Foodie Blogroll

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Lemon Arugula and Pistachios


Martha Mondays was perfect this week, after making all those comfort meals it was nice to lighten things up a bit. Pru from Perfecting Pru chose Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Lemon, Arugula, and Pistachios. I didn't check it out until today and it was pretty easy to assemble. I have not really used arugula that much until this past year, and I want to tell you I really enjoy the flavor of it. It has a little bitter, peppery bit that is not off putting. The lemon in this compliments it well.

I didn't change it much at all, except I didn't use a Meyers lemon because I have a lemon tree full of lemons now. I had a flashlight and went out to our tree and asked my husband to pick the one I had pointed out to him...just the right one. As a matter of fact you just might be seeing more lemon recipes from me coming up real soon. My lemon tree is a Bearss lemon and is what I call a lemonade lemon....real lemony...so I used a half of lemon instead of a whole one and it was just the right amount. It works well in taking the bitterness of the arugula and smoothing it out a bit.



Ingredients
1/2 cup shelled unsalted pistachios
Sea salt or coarse salt
1 small shallot, cut into eighths
1 Meyer lemon (about 5 ounces), cut into eighths and seeded
3 tablespoons lemon or regular extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 pound whole-wheat spaghetti
2 cups packed baby arugula
Freshly ground pepper
Directions
1.Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spread pistachios on a rimmed baking sheet. Toast in oven until fragrant, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate; let cool completely.
2.Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, pulse pistachios and shallot in a food processor until finely chopped. Transfer to a large bowl. Without cleaning processor bowl, finely chop lemon. Add to pistachios and shallot; stir to combine. Stir in 2 tablespoons oil.
3.Add pasta to boiling water; cook until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup cooking water. Toss pasta with pistachio mixture until coated. Add reserved cooking water; stir until sauce coats pasta. Stir in arugula, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and remaining tablespoon oil; season with pepper. Divide among 4 serving plates
Easy to make if you have a food processor, I think you will really enjoy it like we did. Maranda even made a remark on how much she liked it. Good choice Pru!


I did put a bit of Parmesan cheese on top of mine but it really didn't need it. I tucked away a little for my lunch tomorrow. I am sure I will be making this again.

My parents are down visiting for the month, and we were over at their place yesterday...so we got to see the sunset from a little different angle...oops a little late. We didn't get to see if there was a green flash or not. Oh well next time!

57 comments:

  1. Yippee! I'm so pleased you all enjoyed it! A hit with us all it seems.

    I can't wait to see your lemon recipes.

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    1. Yes, good choice Pru. We enjoyed it and it was great in my lunch cold the next day too!

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  2. Hmmm this spaghetti looks yummy with zesty flavor and nuts! I often put arugula too. I need to find unsalted pistachios as my husband eats salted pistachios at home. Love to try this one!

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    1. Namo, everyone enjoyed it. I like the pistachios, and the lemon cut the bitterness of the arugula.

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  3. Yippee! So excited and happy that you liked it, the recipe was a bit strange but so easy. So pleased you liked it. Cannot wait to see all of these lemon recipes soon.

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  4. I really like the blend of flavors here! This looks so creamy and delicious, well worth a try in the kitchen. Great clicks, enjoy the time visiting with your family.

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    1. Thanks, it did seem kind of creamy even without any dairy.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by again, always like hearing from you.

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  6. The pasta sounds delicious...I wish I had a lemon tree in the backyard!

    Bo

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    1. Me too, mine is in my front yard... :) all my neighbors see it there and want my lemons :)

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  7. This looks like delicious pasta. I've been using whole grain pastas more lately and we really enjoy them.

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    1. I haven't had ww pasta in awhile and I like it better than I used to.

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  8. I'm making this. I have a soft spot for: arugula, pasta and pistachios. Never thought to combine them. I also would like your sunset and lemon tree. (I'm very needy today.)

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    1. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. You don't sound needy :)

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  9. Delicious recipe - I love the use of the arugula and pistachios - lovely flavor combination. I just found your blog and have become your 200th follower! So looking forward to more :)
    Mary x

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    1. Welcome Mary, so nice to have you join us. So cool that you are my 200th follower!

      This como really did work well!

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  10. This recipe really got my attention; all these ingredients must be fantastic on the taste bud; pinning this one.
    Rita

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    1. I will be making this again! You'll love it Rita! Really easy too!

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  11. Your pasta sounds and looks really great, Lyndsey! All the ingredients add up to a great dish. My SIL has a pistachio fetish so I will have to make this for her the next time they come up for a visit! She will love it! Have a great visit with your parents. I envy y'all with those gorgeous sunsets!

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    1. Thanks Pam! I know your SIL will like it. I can't help myself from taking a pic every sunset!

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  12. I love the way this pasta looks. With the ingredients you've used it must be super delicious. I've never used pistachios in a pasta dish before and I am curious as to how it will taste. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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    1. I think the pistachios really made the dish, and the ingredients all worked so well together.

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  13. I love the flavors and textures in this pasta dish. It looks fantastic!

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  14. I always have pistachio in the house but never thought of combining it with pasta. Lemon and arugula great pairing. I too wish I could have a lemon tree in my backyard.

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    1. Norma, now you have to try it. I wish I always had pistachios on hand! :)

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  15. What a great combination of flavors, I love the pistachios in there. I have a hard time with wheat pasta. I really want to eat it, but the ones I have tried are over powering to the dish and the texture is odd. Do you have any suggestions?

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    1. I haven't had WW pasta in awhile, but I think they have inproved on it since then. I got this one from a natural food store near me. It was in the bulk section, so nice I could get just enough organic whole wheat spaghetti for dinner. I was impressed with it, really good. If I can get the name brand I'll let you know.

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  16. love this and fun to add nuts and i want a lemon tree!

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  17. I got this made but haven't posted it yet. I'm soo behind. But we did like it and I liked that is was light and fresh. Next time I think I would like to make more of a pesto with the arugula and pistachios.

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    1. I know I am so behind too. I think the pesto is a good idea. I've made an avocado arugula pesto before, now I need to just add the nuts!

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  18. Nothing could be more satisfying than produce from your own garden.... This recipe got wonderful reviews from everyone who made it. Just sorry I could not join in because I have been dieting, so some of the ingredients are off my list for now. Perhaps in the future...

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    1. I do enjoy that too Ana. I have some herbs that I use all the time, and papaya, banana, mangoes, and lime tree. Sorry you couldn't join us this week.

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  19. Oh this looks so delicious, I can just imagine how wonderful the flavor is! In fact, I too had pasta for dinner today, my boy cook it for us:D

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  20. i'm just so envy of you when you mentioned about the lemon tree that you have. would love to see your citrus-y ( is there such a word) cooking ideas!

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  21. I so envy you having a lemon tree in you garden. But then, even if I could grow one here, I'd probably kill it in 2 seconds flat with my purple thumbs! I'm hopeless at gardening.
    This looks simply wonderful! We love arugula but unfortunately this is a "me" only dish. My other half needs chunks of meat. Hmm ... I guess he could have his steak with this as a side. Yesss! I love the idea of the lemon bits with the pistachios!

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  22. I like how the pistachios were added for the depth in texture and taste. :)

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  23. Arugula, pistachios...love them. The pasta sounds and looks really awesome!

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  24. I was going to make a different pasta dish tonight but maybe now I want this...a lemony dish with arugula sounds SO appealing!

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  25. We love pasta and I'm always looking for lighter sauce recipes. Love the combination of lemon and arugula. That's a great shot of the beach at sunset.

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  26. I know I would absolutely LOVE this!!! What a perfect, simple, delicious plate of pasta. I use whole-wheat spaghetti all the time and absolutely love arugula. Unfortunately I don't have a lemon tree in my yard, lol!

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  27. That sunset is a dream....some of my favourite things. And the pasta with the fragrant lemon sounds good. Enjoy the weekend.

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  28. Delicious! Arugula is such a great additive :) Normally I don't go in for wheat pasta but this looks so good :)

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  29. Sounds like a wonderful recipe! Maybe if I start visiting on a regular basis again you will motivate me to get creative in the kitchen and back to food blogging again. I've missed you and missed so much here! Hope all has been well for you :)

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  30. PS - how did you get the reply in your comments? I want that!

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  31. I just blogged about whole wheat pizza! how funny!!

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  32. You have a lemon tree..awesome 1 I'm so jealous of you..lol..This looks too good, a great dinner with all the goodness of whole wheat

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  33. oh what a GREAT idea of adding pistachios! love this!

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  34. I am making this for dinner this week that is my fav nut, my favorite greens and I love linguini :) Thanks for a brilliant dinner idea :)

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