This was STOOPID good!
Source: The Curious Chickpea | Serves: 4 | Time: 30 min (longer if you make pasta from scratch like I did)
Changes: soaked the cashews before blending; I made pasta from scratch; replaced parsely with basil in the linguine; added fresh #tomatoes.
Ingredients
Vegan Whipped Pea Ricotta
3/4 cup #cashews, soaked in hot water for 15 min
1 lb firm #tofu
2 cups green #peas (defrosted if frozen)
2 tbsp EVO
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp minced fresh basil
Garlic Olive Oil Pasta
1 lb linguine, gluten free optional (or make from scratch using the fettucine attachment!)
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1/2-1 tsp red pepper flakes, to taste
Salt, to taste
1/2 cup chopped basil, extra for garnish
1/2 cup vegan parmesan or 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
Chopped cherry tomatoes, to serve
Instructions
In a food processor or blender combine all the ingredients and process until fairly smooth, pausing to scrape down as needed. It's ok if it's a bit grainy. Transfer to a container and store in fridge until ready to use.
Cook the pasta according to package directions (or according to scratch instructions) in well salted water, until 1 minute from being done. Remove 1 1/2 cups of pasta water to reserve, then drain the pasta and set aside.
Heat a skillet large enough to accommodate the pasta (otherwise use a shallow pot) over low. Add the olive oil and the garlic, and cook for 1-3 minutes, stirring almost constantly and keeping a close eye on the garlic so it doesn't burn.
Once the garlic is a pale golden in color, add the red pepper flakes and let cook for 30 seconds. Carefully pour in 1 cup of reserved pasta water and bring to a boil, turn the heat up to medium if needed. Let boil for about 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
Add the cooked pasta, turn the heat down to medium-low and toss to combine. Once the sauce has absorbed somewhat into the pasta and it is perfectly cooked, about 1 minute, turn the heat off. Add the basil, vegan parmesan, and tomatoes. and toss to combine. Taste and add salt if desired.
DEVOUR!