Hemp Seed Pasta with Lemon and Garlic with a wonderfully creamy texture and a mild, nutty flavour from the hemp seeds.

Ingredients (for 2 servings):

  • 180-200 g pasta of choice (e.g. linguine, spaghetti, penne)
  • 1 dl natural hemp seeds
  • 1 dl water (or more for a looser consistency)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • Zest from 1/2 lemon
  • Juice from 1/4 lemon (or more to taste)
  • 1/4 tsp chilli flakes (can be omitted)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)
  • Optional: grated parmesan or nutritional yeast for a "cheesier" flavour (can be omitted for a vegan variant)

Method:

  1. Cook the pasta: Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the packaging until al dente. Save a little of the pasta water before draining the pasta.2. Make the hemp seed sauce: While the pasta is cooking, blend the hemp seeds and water in a food processor or with a hand blender until you get a smooth and creamy sauce. Add more water if you want a looser consistency.
  2. Sauté the garlic: Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium-low heat. Add the finely chopped garlic and chilli flakes (if using) and sauté for about 30 seconds until the garlic is fragrant, without letting it colour.
  3. Mix the sauce: Pour the hemp seed sauce into the frying pan with the garlic. Stir and let it simmer gently for a couple of minutes so the flavours combine.
  4. Season the sauce: Add the lemon zest and lemon juice to the sauce. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  5. Mix with the pasta: Pour the drained pasta into the frying pan with the sauce. Stir thoroughly so that all the pasta is coated with the sauce. Add a little of the reserved pasta water if the sauce feels too thick.
  6. Serve: Serve the pasta immediately, garnished with chopped parsley or basil and optionally grated parmesan or nutritional yeast.

Tips:

  • For a greener and more nutritious pasta, you can add a handful of fresh spinach or rocket to the sauce towards the end and let it wilt.
  • You can also lightly roast the hemp seeds in a dry frying pan before blending them to get an even more intense nutty flavour. Be careful not to burn them.
  • Vary with other vegetables such as diced courgette, broccoli or cherry tomatoes, which you fry together with the garlic.
  • For a vegan "cheese" flavour, you can increase the amount of nutritional yeast.