Pasta Primavera with Asparagus, Carrots, Olives and Lemon SaucePasta Primavera with Asparagus, Carrots, Olives and Lemon Sauce
From All-Creatures.org Vegan - Vegetarian Recipe Book: How Mary and Frank and Friends Eat

"We are dedicated to cruelty-free living through a vegetarian - vegan lifestyle. Let no animal suffer or die that we may live!"

Ingredients

Pasta Primavera with Asparagus, Carrots, Olives and Lemon Sauce
1 lb. Pasta, whole grain penne
3 lbs. Asparagus, fresh
1/2 lb. Carrots, fresh
1 Onion, large
1-2 tbsp. Garlic, cloves (estimate)
1/2 cup Lemon Juice (adjust to taste)
1 cup Water
1-1/2 tbsp. Oregano, dried
Hot Red Pepper, ground or sauce (to taste)
2-3 tbsp. Corn Starch
1 can Olives, ripe pitted (6 oz. net weight)
2 tbsp. Olive Oil, extra virgin (optional for flavor)

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Preparation

Pasta primavera with asparagus. carrots, olives and lemon sauce is a delightful vegan recipe that will serve four adults as a main meal. Cooking and preparation time is about 45-50 minutes. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in a covered container for a few days. This recipe also can be served as a cold pasta salad.

Wash and remove the bottom 1/2 inch of the asparagus stalks. Cut into 1 to 1-1/2 inch long pieces and place in large covered baking dish (for microwaving), or in a wok, or a large covered pot for steaming on the stove top.

Wash and peel the carrots. Cut into slices and add to the cooking dish, wok, or pot. Peel and cut the onion into small pieces (not diced) and add to the cooking dish, wok, or pot.

Place the pasta pot and cooking water on the stovetop and bring the water to a boil.

While the pasta water is heating cook the veggies.

If cooking in the microwave oven, cook for about 15 minutes on "high" (mixing every 5 minutes) until the onions start becoming semi-translucent.

If cooking on the stove top, add a little water and steam on medium heat (mixing every few minutes) until the onions start to become semi-translucent (add a little water as needed to prevent sticking and burning), Reduce the amount of water in the sauce by the amount remaining in the pot.

If cooking in a wok, stir-fry the veggies in a little water until the onions become semi-translucent.

When the water in the pasta pot begins to boil, add the Penne and cook until the pasta is tender but still a little chewy.

At the same time prepare the sauce in a blender. Add the water, lemon juice, garlic, hot red pepper, oregano, and 3 tbsp. corn starch. Blend at high speed until smooth.

Slice the olives and set aside.

When the asparagus, carrots and onions are cooked, add the lemon sauce and olives and cook again until the sauce thickens. If the sauce is too "watery", add another tbsp. of corn starch dispersed in a little water or lemon juice as desired and mix in. If necessary heat again to make sure the corn starch is dissolved and the sauce thickens.

Add the cooked and drained pasta and the olive oil (if desired) and mix thoroughly.

Serve and enjoy!

Ingredients Information

Utensils and Equipment Information

Vegan FlagThe above recipe is in keeping with God's creation intent (Genesis 1:29-31): 'Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground-- everything that has the breath of life in it-- I give every green plant for food." And it was so. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.' (NIV) Let no animal suffer or die that we may live!