Blue Pasta (from Butterfly Pea Flowers)

Name: Blue Pasta (from Butterfly Pea Flowers)
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 100g cashews; 15 butterfly pea flowers (you can use spirulina powder instead); 300ml hot water (to soak the cashews); Juice from 1 lime/lemon; 2 tbsp nutritional yeast; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp salt; Pasta of choice

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This mesmerizing Blue Pasta recipe combines the beautiful blue colors of butterfly pea flowers with the luscious creaminess of cashews. It's also a plant-based dish that is incredibly easy to make and equally delicious.

This recipe is inspired by Taylor Swift's newest album re-recording 1989 (Taylor's Version). I love the baby blue aesthetics of the album and created this recipe to pay homage to Taylor's amazing accomplishments in her musical career and her endless inspiration in our world.

This was inspired by my Pasta Pesto recipe on this site, and pairs well with this Smoked Tofu recipe. Don't forget to put 1989 (Taylor's Version) on blast when making this recipe!

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Ingredients
Instructions
Substitutions
Variations
Storage
Top tip
FAQ
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Ingredients

This recipe only uses a handful of ingredients:

Cashews: Cashews are used to create a creamy and rich base for the sauce, adding a smooth texture and a subtle nutty flavor to the dish.

Pasta of choice: Pasta serves as the main component of the dish, providing a satisfying and comforting element that pairs well with the flavorful sauce.

Butterfly pea flowers: are used to infuse the dish with a beautiful blue color, creating a visually stunning presentation and adding plenty of health benefits.

Lime or lemon juice: adds a refreshing tanginess to the sauce and balances the flavors

Olive oil: lends a luscious and silky texture to the sauce while enhancing the flavors and adding a subtle hint of richness.

Nutritional yeast: contributes a savory and slightly cheesy flavor to the sauce, providing depth and complexity to the overall taste profile of the dish.

Salt: ensures a well-seasoned and delicious final dish

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Soak 200g cashews with the butterfly pea flowers in 400ml hot water for 30 minutes.

Soak the cashews and butterfly pea flowers in hot water for 30 minutes.

The mixture should turn a dark blue color.

Drain and rinse the soaked cashews.

Blend cashews, 15 butterfly pea flowers (or spirulina powder), lime/lemon juice, nutritional yeast, olive oil, and salt until smooth.

Cook pasta of choice according to package instructions.

Blend the ingredients: cashews, the hot water, butterfly pea, salt, olive oil and nutritional yeast.

Pour the mixture and coat with the cooked pasta

Drain cooked pasta and return it to the pot.

Pour the blue sauce over the pasta and toss gently to coat.

Serve and enjoy with additional garnishes if desired.

Substitutions

Cashews: If you have a nut allergy or prefer a different flavor, you can substitute cashews with blanched almonds, macadamia nuts, or even sunflower seeds for a nut-free option. The texture and creaminess may vary slightly, but it will still add richness to the sauce.
Butterfly Pea Flowers or Spirulina Powder: If you don't have access to butterfly pea flowers or spirulina powder, you can experiment with other natural food colorings. For a blue shade, you can try using blue spirulina powder, blueberry powder, or even a small amount of natural blue food coloring. Adjust the quantity based on your desired color intensity.
Nutritional Yeast: If you're unable to find nutritional yeast or prefer to omit it, you can skip this ingredient. However, nutritional yeast adds a cheesy and slightly nutty flavor to the sauce, so you may want to enhance the flavors with other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, or a pinch of turmeric for color.
Olive Oil: If you prefer a different oil or don't have olive oil on hand, you can substitute it with other neutral-flavored oils such as avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or sunflower oil. Make sure to choose an oil that won't overpower the other flavors in the dish.

Variations

Here are some variations you can add to this recipe:

Veggie Additions: Enhance the nutritional profile and add more flavor by incorporating a variety of sautéed or roasted vegetables. You can include bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, spinach, or mushrooms. Simply cook the vegetables separately and toss them with the blue pasta before serving.

Protein Boost: If you'd like to add protein to your dish, consider including grilled tofu, tempeh, or cooked chickpeas. Marinate the protein of your choice in your preferred seasoning, cook it separately, and mix it into the pasta for a well-rounded meal.

Herb Infusion: Add a burst of freshness by garnishing the blue pasta with chopped fresh herbs such as basil, parsley, or cilantro. The herbs will complement the flavors and provide a vibrant touch.

Nut-free: To make the recipe nut-free, you can substitute the cashews with sunflower seeds, or even silken tofu for a creamy texture. Adjust the soaking and blending time accordingly based on the alternative ingredient used.

Gluten-free: Simply substitute the pasta with a gluten-free pasta option made from alternative flours such as rice, corn, quinoa, or chickpea flour.

Storage

Allow the pasta and sauce to cool separately. Store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When ready to serve, reheat the sauce gently in a saucepan and toss it with freshly cooked pasta.

Top tip

Cook your pasta of choice in salted water according to package instructions. Then, drain and rinse under cold water to avoid sticking to each other.

FAQ

What are the benefits of butterfly pea flowers, other than the natural color dye effect?

Butterfly pea flowers offer more than just a natural color dye effect. They are:
- Rich in antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, which help combat oxidative stress and protect against chronic diseases.
- Possess anti-inflammatory properties, potentially aiding in reducing inflammation in the body.
- Benefit cognitive health, and supporting eye health through their proanthocyanidin content.
Traditionally, butterfly pea flowers have been used to promote digestive health and provide stress relief.

What kind of pasta should I use for this recipe?

You can use any pasta you have on hand, I recommend linguine, fettuccine, spaghetti, penne, rigatoni, or even gluten-free options.

If you have tried my recipe, please let me know what you think by leaving me a review on this page or tagging me on Instagram @veggieanh. I would love to see your creations!

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