Creamy Tahini & Broccoli Pasta

Honestly just going off the name of this recipe, I probably would have never tried it!  However, my friend Ashley gave me the recipe, and we usually like very similar foods.  We made it on one of our cooking nights and it was delicious.  My kids thought so too which is always a plus!  The chickpea & tahini mixture give it the creamy texture.  There are three  ingredients in the recipe that you might not use frequently.  They are tahini (ground sesame seeds), kelp granules (found in a seasoning mix at Whole Foods) & liquid aminos (a soy sauce alternative).  You could leave the kelp granules out if you don't frequent WF or want to spend the money.  The dish is creamy, yet light!  Let us know if you give it a try!

Creamy Tahini & Broccoli Pasta

1 (15-ounce) garbanzo beans (also known as chickpeas), drained & rinsed
1/2 cup tahini
2 Tbs. liquid aminos (or soy sauce - shoyu is a healthier brand)
Juice of 1 lime
1/2 teaspoon kelp granules (found in seasoning mix @ WF - or leave out)
1 (16-ounce) package whole wheat linguine
1 small onion, diced
1 (16-ounce) package frozen broccoli (I double this because my family loves broccoli)
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (more or less depending on how much heat you like)



In a food processor, combine garbanzos, tahini, liquid aminos, lime juice, and kelp granules.  Process until smooth, adding water a few tablespoons at a time until the mixture forms a thick sauce.

Cook pasta according to package directions.  Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking liquid.

Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat until hot.  Add onion and cook, stirring frequently, until onion begins to stick to bottom of the skillet, about 5 minutes.  Stir in a tablespoon or two of water, stirring until onion is browned.  Add broccoli, cover the skillet and cook until broccoli is heated through, about 5 minutes, adding a few more tablespoons of water if necessary.

In a large bowl, toss together pasta, sauce, onion, broccoli, & crushed red pepper flakes; add some of the cooking liquid if necessary to evenly distribute the sauce.

bon appetit-
leanne

Note - I keep forgetting to take pictures of the dishes I make before we eat!  I'll be adding pictures to several of the recipes in the next few months as I make the dishes again!