ORECCHIETTE WITH BUTTERMILK, PEAS, AND PISTACHIOS

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Orecchiette with Buttermilk, Peas, and Pistachios image

We're throwing this pantry pasta all-star a "Welcome to Summer" party with peas and mint. This dish was inspired by Rolf and Daughters in Nashville, where chef Philip Krajeck makes a fermented pasta cloaked in a tangy whey and butter sauce. We use store-bought buttermilk to mimic whey's acidic flavor. It's a perfect foil for the rich butter and cheese in this glossy sauce.

Provided by Molly Baz

Categories     Bon Appétit     Pasta     Dinner     Pistachio     Pea     Leek     Mint     Buttermilk     Parmesan

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

1/4 cup pistachios
12 oz. orecchiette
Kosher salt
12 oz. peas (such as shelled fresh or frozen English and/or halved sugar snap)
3 Tbsp. unsalted butter
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
2 medium leeks, white and pale green parts only, cut in half lengthwise, thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1 small bunch mint, divided
3/4 cup buttermilk
3 oz. Parmesan, finely grated, plus more for serving
Freshly ground black pepper
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice.

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Toast pistachios on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing once, until golden brown, 5-8 minutes. Let cool, then coarsely crush with a measuring cup or glass.
  • Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water 6 minutes, then add peas and cook until pasta is al dente, about 2 minutes more.
  • Meanwhile, heat butter and 2 Tbsp. oil in a medium heavy pot over medium. Cook leeks, garlic, red pepper flakes, and 3 mint sprigs, stirring occasionally, until leeks are soft but not browned, 6-8 minutes; season with salt. Add buttermilk; bring to a simmer. Pluck out mint; discard.
  • Using a slotted spoon, transfer pasta and peas to leek mixture. Add 3 oz. Parmesan; cook, stirring vigorously and adding a little pasta water if needed, until sauce is creamy and coats pasta, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat; add lemon juice. Pull leaves from remaining mint sprigs, tear into pasta, and toss. Divide pasta among bowls. Top with pistachios and Parmesan; drizzle with oil.

Phil Shaw
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I would love to try this recipe, but I don't have any buttermilk. Can I use regular milk instead?


Rana Emmi
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This orecchiette dish is perfect for a summer meal. It's light and refreshing, and the peas and pistachios add a nice pop of color.


MUHINDO JIM
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I'm a vegetarian, so I omitted the bacon from this recipe. It was still delicious!


M Jamshed thekedar
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This dish is a bit bland for my taste. I would recommend adding some red pepper flakes or chili powder to give it a bit of a kick.


Mark George
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I'm allergic to pistachios. Can I substitute another nut, like almonds or walnuts?


Tebogo Morake
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I'm not sure what went wrong, but my orecchiette turned out mushy. I think I may have overcooked it.


Deep Sad Lines
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This dish is a bit time-consuming to make, but it's definitely worth the effort.


Strawberry Shortcake
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I found that the orecchiette cooked a bit too quickly. I would recommend reducing the cooking time by a minute or two.


Zoraida Serene
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I would recommend adding a bit of lemon zest to the buttermilk sauce. It really brightens up the flavor.


Nishal Naidoo
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This dish is a great way to get your kids to eat their vegetables.


Alexpahtan Alexpahtan001
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I love the addition of pistachios in this dish. They add a nice nutty flavor.


Nkem chika Loveth
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This orecchiette dish is a great way to use up leftover buttermilk.


Vinnie Matis
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I've made this dish several times and it's always a hit with my family and friends.


Cavahn Stephens
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This is one of my favorite orecchiette recipes. It's easy to make and always turns out delicious.


Wilyo Abikar
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I'm not a huge fan of buttermilk, but I was pleasantly surprised by how well it worked in this dish. The sauce was creamy and flavorful, and it paired perfectly with the orecchiette and peas.


Shajidul Islam
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I made this dish for a dinner party and it was a huge hit! Everyone loved the unique flavor combination and the orecchiette was cooked perfectly.


Monica Young
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This dish was a bit too rich for my taste. The buttermilk sauce was a bit too heavy and the pistachios were a bit too overpowering.


Heaven Lea
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I followed the recipe to a T and the orecchiette turned out perfectly. The buttermilk sauce was creamy and flavorful, and the peas and pistachios added a nice touch of sweetness and crunch.


Emmilee Childress
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This orecchiette dish was an absolute delight! The combination of buttermilk, peas, and pistachios created a symphony of flavors in my mouth. I especially loved the crunchiness of the pistachios, which added a nice textural contrast to the soft orecc