| Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 30 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 423 | 18g | 5g | 34g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 6g | 8g | 20g | 0.8g |
There’s no dish more comforting yet intriguing on a gray day than a hearty plate of pasta with Velvet Bean Pasta Sauce, a novel and nurturing recipe that is one to try. Unassumingly nestled in the diversity prompts my culinary senses, this sauce pays homage to the earth’s bounty, harnessing the power of each chosen ingredient with a delightful twist on traditional pasta sauces. The magic behind this little masterpiece – Velvet beans, not a typical ingredient in pasta sauce, and yet, it sings a marvelous melody with each forkful.
How This Recipe Came to Life
Being a native of Portland, Maine, my culinary rope has strings of Atlantic breezes, lush farmers market produce, and above all, New England’s charming tradition. As much as I adore our splendid seafood, diving into the world of vegetables is a refreshing deep-sea exploration. After all, it’s not just about the fish along the Atlantic coast but also the abundant farms and their unique produce. Velvet beans, an underdog in the vegetable spectrum’s wide array, immediately captured my attention by their exotic charm, inspiring this fantastic recipe – Velvet Bean Pasta Sauce.
The Unexpected Benefits of Velvet Beans
Not just a delight for your taste buds, these beans bring an unexpected touch of health benefits to the table. Velvet beans are a great source of protein, dietary fiber, and minerals including calcium and iron, with a healthy dash of antioxidants. According to a publication in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, these beans may even have positive effects on mental health! This nutrient-packed sauce may add a generous touch of wellness to your everyday pasta.
The Perfect Harmony with Other Dishes
Our Velvet Bean Pasta Sauce, laden with aromatic herbs, heady garlic, and onions, brings an Italian orchestra to the dinner table. The beauty of this sauce is that it doesn’t stop at pasta. This versatile concerto could comfortably rest on a bed of sautéed spinach, liven up a slice of crusty bread, or harmonize bruschetta’s vibrant flavors. If you adore Greek spinach pie (Spanakopita), you’d be thrilled to pair it with a dollop of this sauce.
As a mother, I’m always on the lookout for healthier, nutrient-dense options for my daughters, Erin and Samantha. Having relished the impeccable balance of rich tomatoes, robust wine, and Velvet beans, I knew I’d introduced them to a new favorite, not only for its tantalizing taste but the ease of which it marries other dishes. I believe your family too will find pleasure in this symphony of flavors that our Velvet Bean Pasta Sauce has to offer.
What You’ll Need
- 2 cups of Velvet Beans
- 1/4 cup of Olive Oil
- 1 Onion, chopped
- 4 Garlic Cloves, minced
- 1 cup of Fresh Tomatoes, diced
- 1/2 cup of Tomato Sauce
- 1/2 cup of Red Wine
- 1 tsp of Dried Basil
- 1 tsp of Dried Oregano
- 1/2 tsp of Salt
- 1/4 tsp of Black Pepper
- 1/2 cup of Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 cup of your favorite Pasta, cooked
Method
Step One
Start by soaking the velvet beans in water overnight. The next day, drain and rinse the beans until the water runs clear.
Step Two
Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until softened.
Step Three
Add the minced garlic to the saucepan, and continue to cook for another minute, stirring to prevent the garlic from burning.
Step Four
Now, add the fresh tomatoes, tomato sauce, red wine, dried basil, dried oregano, salt and black pepper to the saucepan. Stir everything together until well combined.
Step Five
Bring the mixture to a simmer, and then add the soaked velvet beans. Lower the heat, cover the saucepan, and let it simmer for about 1 hour, or until the beans are tender.
Step Six
Once the beans are cooked, use a hand blender or a regular blender to puree the sauce until smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a little water or more tomato sauce to thin it out.
Step Seven
Serve the velvet bean pasta sauce over your cooked pasta, topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese. Enjoy your meal!
