Saturday, January 14, 2012

Quick Vegan Tomato Basil Cream Pasta


Both E and I were in love with this creamy tomato pasta. My favourite pasta sauce used to be cream (specifically alfredo, even more specifically my mom's alfredo), then it became rose. I try not to have cream sauces too often as I know they're not very good for me, but now that I've found this delicious vegan rose sauce, I can indulge in my creamy pasta more often. I love basil but I'm sure it would be delicious with your favourite herb or whatever you might have in your garden (indoor garden at this time of year?)


Last weekend we went to Tofino for our 1 year anniversary! (If you're interested you can check out some of our wedding photos and our wedding video.)


I never posted pictures from our trip to Turkey and Greece, but I'm almost immediately posting pictures from our trip to Tofino. What does that say?? Hm. Probably that there were way too many Turkey and Greece photos. And also that I loooooooove taking local vacations and that Tofino is one of my favourite places.


This was my third time going there, and first time going during "storm watching season". Which basically means there's a lot of rain and big waves, at least that's what we experienced. It was a really relaxing cozy vacation. Tofino is a small town with a handful of restaurants, bakeries and shops (no big name stores). It's known for its surfing, but if you're not a surfer like me you can still enjoy walking along the beaches.


This is where we stayed.



The view from our room.




If this sounds good, you might also like:
Pasta with French Lentils and Kale
Red and White Tortellini
Pasta with Ruby Chard and Cranberries
Mediterranean Macaroni and Cheese

Quick Vegan Tomato Basil Cream Pasta
Adapted from Vegan Yum Yum

Serves 2

7 oz uncooked whole wheat spaghetti (or other pasta shape)
1 medium ripe tomato, cored and roughly chopped
1/2 cup raw cashews
1/4 cup water
1 tbsp tomato paste
2 tbsp olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 large handful fresh basil, chopped

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions.

While the pasta is cooking, make the sauce. To a blender, add the tomato, cashews, water, tomato paste and salt. Blend until very smooth.

In a large saute pan over medium heat, add the olive oil. Add the garlic and saute until golden, being careful not to burn. Pour the sauce from the blender into the pan and bring to a simmer for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Once the pasta is cooked, drain it. Mix the pasta, sauce, black pepper and basil.

18 comments:

Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche said...

So simple but it looks great!

Hannah said...

Creamy tomato sauce really is wonderful! It's all about letting really fresh ingredients shine, and manipulating them as little as possible. A bit of richness just brings the whole dish together.

Rachel said...

This sounds like the kind of recipe I would make over and over agai for quick dinners. Thanks for sharing! Gorgeous pictures too!

Jabba said...

I agree - creamy sauces are great but so heavy and not good for you. This one looks awesome and you could use it on lots of different things! We're going to try it.

It's been a year already?! Happy Anniversary!

Tofino is great isn't it? We haven't been out there for years, we went storm watching. The best if you love snuggling indoors and going for walks in the rain.

Johanna GGG said...

I've wondered about trying this one - I am not so big on creamy pasta sauces but loved vegan yum yum's alfredo - never heard of tofino but love your photos - congrats on the anniversary

janet @ the taste space said...

Congrats on your first year together! At first I thought you were going to say you didn't like your Turkey trip... but you didn't... and I completely understand how going through so many photos is daunting.. I am still backlogged on my vacation pics... still haven't gone through my Morocco pics (Dec 2010) nor Iceland (Sept 2011). And to be honest, I stopped bringing my camera on my smaller trips just so I didn't have to go through any photos... hahahah! Thankfully R still takes some photos and much better at going through them then I am right now. ;)

Jacqueline Meldrum said...

That is just brilliant, I will be trying it :)

Joanne said...

I love alfredo sauces but they are just such a caloric bomb that I can't bear to make them for myself. This recipe sounds like the perfect compromise...without TASTING like a compromise at all!

Happy anniversary love! I wish you a gazillion more!

Anonymous said...

Pasta Looks great!

Tofino sounds like an awesome place. Although I've never surfed, I'd love to do it someday.

Your view from your room is cool too.

Mel said...

Congrats on your anniversary, Tofino looks like a divine spot to celebrate!

I've only made that pasta sauce once before but must try it again with home-grown tomatoes. I'm always making the Hurry up Alfredo recipe from VYY.

kimberleyblue said...

Tofino looks just gorgeous - happy anniversary!!

Rose sauces are also something I loooove. I like the idea of this healthier version!

Sasha Cohen said...

wow, looks marvelous!!! And the photography is beautiful as well!!! Thanks for sharing :)
Best,
Sasha from Kale With Love

grace said...

thanks for sharing the memories from your wedding--congrats on your anniversary! i prefer rose sauces too, and this one obviously looks great. :)

kickpleat said...

Love the idea of a vegan creamy sauce and I love your pictures of Tofino. I can't believe we haven't gone there yet and I'd love to go in the winter. Sounds like a great trip!

Jenn said...

Love this recipe. I use canned tomatoes in winter. Plus I like to soak the cashews in water for about 30 minutes beforehand so they blend up really smooth. BTW, those sunset pics are gorgeous!

Eileen said...

Hey, we went there for my 30th birthday! OK, we stayed in Ucluelet, but there was definitely a good amount of dinking around in Tofino (on the beach, mostly) as well.

At first I read "rose" as "rosé," so I was slightly confused about the recipe! Then I realized you meant the color. Now I kind of wonder what it would taste like to add some rosé to this sauce anyway...

Torie said...

Great recipe! Never had vegan pasta sauce before. Looks like its worth trying. We are headed up to Long Beach in a few weeks. What a great place eh?!

Bird and Boy Photography said...

I made this the other night and it was absolutely amazing!! I loved it :) Thanks for all the recipes.