Ingredients for 4 people:
- 400 g of spaghetti
- 100 g. of almond pesto
- extra virgin olive oil
- salt
Preparation:
This detailed recipe will take you step-by-step through the preparation of an authentic and delicious dish of almond pesto spaghetti. The unmistakable fresh and fragrant aroma of this Italian specialty will make the culinary experience a real pleasure for the palate. Be ready to amaze your guests with an original dish full of unique flavours.
To get started, get all the ingredients you need. You will need almonds, fresh basil, garlic, grated parmesan, extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper. The almonds, in addition to adding a characteristic taste, will give the pesto a creamy texture and a slightly sweet note. Fresh basil, on the other hand, will give the sauce an intense aroma and a freshness that goes perfectly with spaghetti.
Prepare the pesto carefully following the instructions. You can use a blender or mortar to mix all the ingredients until you get a smooth and velvety sauce. Be sure to adjust the texture to your liking, adding more oil if you want a smoother pesto or reducing the amount to make it creamier.
Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook them following the instructions on the package. Remember to keep the pasta al dente, i.e. slightly resistant to chewing, so that it retains its consistency and marries perfectly with the pesto.
Once cooked, drain the spaghetti and keep a little of the cooking water aside. This will be useful if you want to dilute the pesto or make the sauce creamier. Toss the spaghetti with the almond pesto, making sure to distribute it evenly throughout the pasta. Use tongs or a fork to gently mix and blend the flavors evenly.
At this point, your plate of spaghetti with almond pesto is ready to be served. You can plate it in an attractive way and decorate it with some fresh basil leaves and chopped almonds for a final touch of elegance. Don’t forget to taste the pasta before serving to make sure it has reached the right consistency and that the flavors are balanced.
This dish can be enjoyed hot or cold, depending on your preference. If you opt for a cold version, put the pasta in the refrigerator to let it cool and let the flavors meld even more. Alternatively, you can taste it freshly prepared to enjoy the fragrance and creaminess of freshly made pesto.
Accompany spaghetti with almond pesto with a light and fresh side dish, such as a simple mixed salad or a plate of halved cherry tomatoes dressed with basil and olive oil. These accompaniments will add a note of freshness and contrast to the intense and creamy flavors of the main course.
Finally, once everything is ready, bring your plate of spaghetti with almond pesto to the table, decorated with a few fresh basil leaves and a sprinkling of grated Parmesan. Invite your guests to taste this Italian delicacy and enjoy the compliments that will come for your culinary talents.
Remember, this recipe is just a foundation for your creativity in the kitchen. You can customize it to your liking by adding ingredients such as dried tomatoes, spinach or even shrimp to make it even tastier and more satisfying. Be bold and have fun experimenting with new variations of this classic preparation.
To complete the spaghetti al pesto culinary experience, I recommend opting for a crisp, dry white wine, as the delicate flavors of the dish could be overpowered by a more full-bodied wine. Two excellent choices could be a Pignoletto Colli Bolognesi from Emilia or a Pinot Blanc from South Tyrol. These wines go well with the aromatic flavors of the pesto and offer excellent harmony on the palate.
Enjoy your meal!
