What is Gochujang?

Gochujang paste is like the MVP of Korean cooking. It’s this thick, spicy-sweet chili paste made from fermented soybeans, rice, and red chili powder. You’ll find it in tons of Korean dishes, adding that delicious kick and depth of flavor. It’s basically a must-have in your pantry if you’re into Korean cooking or just want to spice up your meals with something delicious

Why you’ll love this recipe

If you’re a fan of pasta, creamy, bold flavors and love experimenting in the kitchen, I highly recommend trying out this Gochujang pasta! This fusion dish combines the heat of Gochujang paste with the creaminess of coconut milk and the richness of Parmesan cheese, resulting in a mouthwatering flavor explosion that’s truly unforgettable.

Ingredients

• Pasta – I like fusilli or penne pasta for this recipe but feel free to use any you like.
• Butter – a bit of unsalted butter makes this creamier and richer.
• Garlic – a little bit adds a lot of aroma and flavor.
• Gochujang – this Korean spicy-sweet chili paste is the star of the dish so a little goes a long way!
• Coconut milk – full-fat version is best for this to get the creamiest sauce.
• Parmesan cheese – use freshly grated for the best flavor.
• Reserved pasta water – make sure to reserve some of that pasta water to loosen the sauce later.
• Salt and black pepper – season to taste!

How to make Creamy Gochujang Pasta

1. Bring large pot of water to a boil and cook pasta according to package to al dente. Drain pasta and save about 1 cup of reserved pasta water.
2. In a pan over medium-high heat, add butter and garlic and stir for 30 secs until fragrant. Then add gochujang and mix well for 1 min. Then add coconut milk and parmesan cheese and stir until dissolved for about 1 min. Then add about 3/4 cup pasta water and mix until smooth. Let sauce simmer until thickened and creamy. Add additional pasta water as needed to ensure the sauce is creamy.
3. Add cooked pasta to sauce and stir well to combine. Transfer pasta to a plate and garnish with more parmesan cheese. Top with any protein as desired.

Tips

Feel free to get creative with your Gochujang pasta by adding your favorite protein – grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu would all be fantastic options. And don’t forget to adjust the spice level to your liking by adding more or less Gochujang paste. Trust me, once you try this addictive dish, you’ll be craving it again and again!

Storage

Store in an air-tight container in the fridge up to 2-3 days

Creamy Gochujang Pasta

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Serves: 2 Prep Time: 15 Mins Cooking Time: 15 Mins 15 Mins

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Rating: 5.0/5

( 4 voted )

Ingredients

10 oz. pasta (I like fusilli or penne for this)

2 Tbsp unsalted butter

3 cloves garlic, minced

3 Tbsp gochujang

1 cup full-fat coconut milk

1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

3/4 - 1 cup reserved pasta water

salt and ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Bring large pot of water to a boil and cook pasta according to package to al dente. Drain pasta and save about 1 cup of reserved pasta wate.

2. In a pan over medium-high heat, add butter and garlic and stir for 30 secs until fragrant. Then add gochujang and mix well for 1 min. Then add coconut milk and parmesan cheese and stir until dissolved for about 1 min. Then add about 3/4 cup pasta water and mix until smooth. Let sauce simmer until thickened and creamy. Add additional pasta water as needed to ensure the sauce is creamy.

3. Add cooked pasta to sauce and stir well to combine. Transfer pasta to a plate and garnish with more parmesan cheese. Top with any protein as desired.

The post Creamy Gochujang Pasta first appeared on Herman at Home.

Whenever I can, I try to make dishes with a healthy spin to it without compromising flavor. So, I created this Avocado Pesto Pasta dish, which is a delicious and healthy twist on traditional pesto pasta. It’s a perfect recipe for those who are looking for a healthier and more nutritious alternative to the classic Italian pasta dish. The avocado gives the sauce a creamy texture and the almonds makes it nutty and fresh. Try this recipe and I’m sure it’ll be a crowd pleaser!

Why Pesto?

Pesto is a paste that traditionally consists of crushed garlic, European pine nuts, coarse salt, basil leaves, and hard cheese such as Parmesan, all blended with olive oil

Why you’ll love this recipe

If you like Avocado, Pasta and Pesto, this pasta dish is made for you. Avocado pesto pasta is a surprising twist on traditional pesto pasta. the creamy texture of avocado adds a smooth element to the pasta dish, while still providing that vibrant green color and fresh flavor. the richness of the avocado complements the basil, garlic, and parmesan cheese typically found in pesto sauce. Overall, it’s a satisfying dish!

Ingredients

Spaghetti (or pasta of your choice)

Avocado

Basil

Lemon, juiced

Extra virgin olive oil

Sliced almonds (or pine nuts)

1 small garlic clove

1/3 cup pasta water (+ a little extra to adjust for consistency)

Salt for boiling water + salt to taste for sauce

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Parmesan cheese (as a topping)

How to make Creamy Avocado Pesto Pasta

Bring water to a boil, add salt, and cook pasta according to package. Save pasta water for the sauce!
Add avocado, basil, lemon juice, olive oil, sliced almonds, garlic, pasta water, and salt and pepper to a blender and blend well. If needed, add extra pasta water little by little to loosen up sauce and get to your desired consistency.
Add sauce to cooked pasta and mix well. Garnish with parmesan cheese and add any protein you like.

Tips

1. Make sure to use freshly grated parmesan cheese for a ton of flavor!
2. I used sliced almonds in my recipe but you can swap it out for pine nuts (which is more traditional).
3. This dish is best eaten fresh as the avocado can lose it’s vibrant green color.

Storage

It’s best eating when it is fresh but you can store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Avocado Pesto Pasta

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Serves: 2 Prep Time: 10 Mins Cooking Time: 15 Mins 15 Mins

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Rating: 5.0/5

( 3 voted )

Ingredients

8oz. spaghetti (or pasta of your choice)

1 medium avocado

1 cup packed basil

1/2 lemon, juiced

1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup sliced almonds (or pine nuts)

1 small garlic clove

1/3 cup pasta water (+ a little extra to adjust for consistency)

Salt for boiling water + salt to taste for sauce

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Parmesan cheese (as a topping)

Instructions

1. Bring water to a boil, add salt, and cook pasta according to package. Save pasta water for the sauce!
2. Add avocado, basil, lemon juice, olive oil, sliced almonds, garlic, pasta water, and salt and pepper to a blender and blend well. If needed, add extra pasta water little by little to loosen up sauce and get to your desired consistency.
3. Add sauce to cooked pasta and mix well. Garnish with parmesan cheese and add any protein you like.

Notes

Be generous when adding salt to boiling water to cook pasta.

The post Avocado Pesto Pasta first appeared on Herman at Home.