I have to admit that when I read the ingredients for this week's recipe, I was a little leery. At first I thought it might be like Fettucini Alfredo, but no cream. I just wasn't sure how this would turn-out. And I can tolerate raisins, but they're not typically a food that I like to use in my cooking. There was no linguine (the recipe calls for linguine) to be found on my Monday morning shopping trip, so I decided to make mine with spaghetti noodles instead and I'm glad I did ... easier for kids of all ages to get on their fork & eat. :)
I picked up from Black Mission Figs from our local Trader Joe's store as well as some fresh Parmesan cheese.
This was a very easy & quick recipe to assemble. While I waited for my water to boil for the pasta, I chopped up figs, raisins, almonds & pistachios. I then melted some butter in a large skillet and added the nuts & fruits to the butter. It smelled like dessert!
After the nuts & fruits had cooked long enough in the butter, I tossed in the cooked pasta and then coated it with lots of grated Parmesan cheese. A little orange zest was added to the top ... very pretty.
When I took my first bite, I was very pleasantly surprised. I could hardly taste the raisins ... the dried fruits add just a little bit of a fruity taste to it. I LOVED the toasted, crunchy nuts in the dish and a little bit of orange zest was anther unexpected favorite for this dish. Sometimes orange zest can be bitter and overpowering, but it was awesome in this dish ... it added just a little bit of sweetness and a fun flavor to enjoy in my mouth with each bite. I will definitely be making this again. I think it could be a simple, comforting meal or a very unique appetizer or side dish.
18 comments:
What beautiful photos! I felt just the way you did, happily surprised.
I agree - this makes a lovely little lunch or small meal. A happy surprise!
Your beggar's "spaghetti" looks wonderful! Dad wanted more for lunch today...that means he really liked it. I had Eric over for lunch a few minutes ago and he had not eaten since Tuesday morning. He's starting to be OK...I've been calling him and texting him about every hour for the past few days...I've been quite concerned, but he seems much improved. I think this is a dish the entire family would enjoy and it was quite simple.
Your dish looks great! I think had I used orange zest, it might have pushed this more into the "like" category rather than the "meh" category for me. Great post!
Spectacular photos! I was pleasantly surprised, too~
That picture of the butter bubbling up to the pretty noisette color is fantastic!
Lovely photos. Glad this one was a winner for you! We SO NEED a Trader Joes up here...
I love your photo of the boiling butter! I didn't love this, but had to try it to see how it would taste. I couldn't imagine just by reading the recipe.
I'm with you....I'll be making this again!
I love the way you showcase the recipe through wonderful photographs.
I loved this dish too :)
Lovely photos! Glad you all enjoyed it! I was also hesitant about this recipe but it was delicious. I love Trader Joe's!
Your photos are great. I like the idea of the spaghetti,
it looks wonderful. Tricia and I are fortunate to have a Trader Joe's near us too, and it is a pleasure to enjoy
so many special items that they have available. Glad
you all enjoyed the dish.
I was pleasantly surprised too! I agree with the previous comments about your lovely photos!
Great photos! So glad you enjoyed the dish!!
Your photos are great! I thought the orange zest added just the right amount of orangey taste to this dish. Glad you liked it!
I like your photos! That orange zest just makes it so photogenic:)
I did not make this dish, because I would be the only one to enjoy it, while the rest of the family would huff and puff in disdain:)
But, I am happily reading everybody else's experiences.
Your photos are wonderful and your pasta sounds delicious. This is my first visit to your blog so I decided to spend some time and browse through your earlier entries. I so glad I did that. I really enjoyed my visit and getting to know you a bit. I'll definitely be back. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary
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