Middle Eastern Pasta With Yogurt And Pine Nuts Recipes

PASTA WITH YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta according to package instructions; drain well and reserve ½ cup of pasta water.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the pine nuts and cook until golden brown, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
• Heat the remaining olive oil in the skillet, add the garlic and 1 tablespoon parsley and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Turn the heat to low, add the yogurt and salt and use a whisk to combine and lightly warm up the yogurt. Remove from heat.
• Transfer the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss with the yogurt sauce. Add some pasta water to thin out the sauce, if desired.
• Serve with toasted pine nuts, remaining parsley and chopped mint.

MIDDLE EASTERN SPINACH WITH SPICES AND YOGURT

Steps:

• Heat a small dry skillet over medium heat and add the clove, allspice berries, and coriander seeds or cumin seeds. Heat, shaking the pan, until the spices begin to smell toasty, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and allow to cool for a few minutes, then grind in a spice mill. Add the cinnamon, and set aside.
• In a mortar and pestle, mash the garlic with 1/4 teaspoon salt to a paste, and stir into the yogurt. Set aside.
• Place the baby spinach in a bowl and pour on boiling water to cover. Let sit for a couple of minutes, then drain, rinse with cold water, squeeze out excess water, and chop coarsely.
• Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a wide, heavy skillet and add the pine nuts. Cook, stirring, until they begin color (2 to 3 minutes), then remove from the oil with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add the spices to the oil. When they begin to sizzle, cook for about 30 seconds and add the spinach, toasted pine nuts, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook, stirring, until the spinach is heated through and coated with the oil and spices, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a serving dish and spoon the yogurt over the top. This is very nice served with Arabic bread.