Creamy avocado and rocket pasta
If I ever became vegan for whatever reason, I know that the thing I’d miss most would be dairy. Eggs, I could quite happily live without. Meat, I already do live without. But I don’t often find vegan ways of creating creaminess all that inspiring. Blended tofu, processed nuts, soy-based dairy alternatives… none of these really light my fire. Avocado, on the other hand, totally does it for me. It’s a great vegan way of adding creaminess to a dish. I’m sure you’ve all seen avocado pasta before, but avocado and rocket pasta is far more flavourful – much better than pure creaminess without any real taste.
As you can see from the haphazard way that the spaghetti is dolloped into the bowl, I’m not always the tidiest of people – but somehow I’m a perfectionist simultaneously. Growing up, my bedroom was always an absolute tip – it’s a bit embarrassing really. Just piles of stuff everywhere. Yet at the same time, my CDs and books were all alphabetised, and the clothes in my wardrobe were hung up in categories (actually these last few things are still true…). So although I wiped the edge of the bowl carefully for this picture to ensure there weren’t any stray flecks of green, the pasta itself is just a big mess. I never quite understand what goes on in my brain.
Anyway, get on this one quickly while it’s still summer. I feel like such a British cliché because I seem to always be talking about the weather, but it’s chucking it down with rain today. Despite summer only having officially started a few days ago, it feels like autumn is just around the corner, so these fresh, summery recipes need to be made soon!
(PS. be aware that all of my posts for the next million years are going to include roasted garlic, ever since I wrote that post about how to make roasted garlic. I usually only roast a small amount at a time, but since I wanted a few bulbs roasted for the photo, I now have loads to use up. Sorry! If you don’t have any and don’t want to make any, just use raw garlic, but only use one small clove!)
- 150g pasta
- 1 clove garlic (or 2-3 cloves roasted garlic – see below)
- 50g fresh rocket (arugula)
- 1 avocado
- 2tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1tbsp olive oil (optional)
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Boil the pasta according to the instructions on the packet.
- Meanwhile, blitz the garlic and rocket in a food processor until finely chopped. Add the avocado and lemon juice, and blitz again. If the mixture looks too dry, you might like to add a small amount of olive oil to moisten it. Season to taste.
- When the pasta is ready, drain it and add the sauce. Cook, stirring constantly, over a low heat for 5 minutes, until the sauce is heated through.
Click to find out how to make roasted garlic.
Love rocket – love avocado – yet have never tried them together…gotta fix this! great recipe idea :-)
I lovee, love avocado with pasta and I think it’s one my favorite after olive oil and basil+garlic…i never tried mixing arugula with it though which I also love as well.
Mouthwatering images, Becca….will have to make this very soon! Thank you for sharing and have a great weekend!
That really is a delicious idea. Love avocado and I see bloggers using them in everything…even desserts. Very inspiring recipe indeed.
Gorgeous! I’ve only just recently discovered avocados if I’m honest. I was putting them in smoothies to thicken them out, and it’s true that it adds a nice bit of thickness! Might have to give this a go…
That’s a really good idea. I use it to make smoothies creamy, but not pasta. This would be great for Graham. of course I would finish mine with veggie parmesan.
ps Ruth over at Makey-Cakey is hosting July’s Pasta Please. The theme is cheeseless pasta, why not link up once she announces it, this would be perfect.
Ooh good idea, I’ll try to keep an eye out for it, thanks :)
This was great! I made two slight adjustments: I added basil, because something in my brain always associates green pasta with basil pesto, and it wasn’t just right for me until I had that flavor in there. Secondly, as I’m not vegan, I topped it with a wee bit of fontina cheese.
A great dish for everyone, vegans, veggies and omnivores! Even our dog was lurking around, hoping for a helping…and she’s picky about her pasta!
i made a similar pasta. i need to try this one though, delish!
This pasta sounds so simple and perfect! I always love a good excuse to get more avocado into my mouth. Totally apropos for the heat wave we’re having here, too. :)
Bahhh so jealous of your heatwave! :P
I’ve never used avocado in a pasta dish before, sounds and looks delicious!
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
Looks delicious! I’ve made avocado pasta before, but never with arugula, too. Definitely gonna give this one a shot. Thanks! Oh, and never apologize for using so much roasted garlic ;)