Description
Mediterranean magic meets comfort in this Spicy Caramelized Shallot Pasta, where golden shallots dance with bold spices. Silky strands embrace rich flavors, inviting you to savor a quick, elegant meal that whispers culinary passion.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 10 shallots (280 grams / 9.9 ounces), sliced
- 250 grams (8.8 ounces) pasta
- 1 large garlic clove, chopped
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 heaped tablespoon gochujang
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Creamy and Herbal Ingredients:
- 70 grams (2.5 ounces) vegan cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
- Olive oil, for cooking
Instructions
- Ignite a generously salted water bath in a substantial pot, preparing for pasta immersion.
- Gentle heat transforms shallots in olive oil, coaxing them into a slow, luxurious caramelization process over low flame.
- Introduce brown sugar to the shallots, allowing them to deepen into a rich, golden-brown landscape of flavor.
- Incorporate minced garlic, letting it dance and release its aromatic essence for a brief moment.
- Submerge pasta into the boiling water, orchestrating its transformation into perfectly textured al dente brilliance for 8-10 minutes.
- Infuse the caramelized shallot base with fiery gochujang and creamy vegan cheese, whisking in a splash of starchy pasta water to create a velvety, cohesive sauce.
- Carefully liberate the pasta from its watery realm, reserving a mugful of liquid gold for potential sauce adjustment.
- Marry the pasta with the spicy-sweet shallot mixture, gently tossing to ensure each strand is lovingly coated.
- Elevate the dish with a snowfall of nutritional yeast, a graceful sprinkle of salt, and a whisper of black pepper.
- Scatter freshly torn basil and delicate chive snippets across the surface, adding a final burst of herbal vibrancy.
- Present the pasta immediately, while its warmth and complexity are at their most seductive peak.
Notes
- Slow-cooking shallots is crucial for achieving deep, rich caramelization without burning, so maintain low heat and stir occasionally.
- Add a splash of pasta water gradually to control sauce consistency, creating a silky, clingy texture that coats each pasta strand perfectly.
- Vegan cream cheese can be substituted with tahini or cashew cream for different flavor profiles while maintaining creamy richness.
- Gochujang’s heat level
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 0mg