Health By Al

This pasta has such a great flavor, and I love the texture the asparagus adds. The sauce resembles an Alfredo sauce, but is dairy free and cashew based (but you would never know it)! I hear from a lot of people that Alfredo sauce makes them feel sick after (from all the butter, cream, & milk), so this is a great alternative that leaves you feeling good afterwards. Perfect for a carb load before a big race! (Jokes–If you watch The Office you know what I mean).

Ingredients: (serves 4)

• 1 lb. any short pasta (we prefer shells)
• 4 oz Mushrooms (we prefer Baby Bella)
• 1 bunch asparagus
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 3/4 teaspoon sea salt (divided)
• 1/4 cup water (for veggies)
• 1 & 1/3 cup cashews*
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 & 1/3 cup pasta cooking water (for sauce)

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of water to boil and cook pasta al dente.
2. While the pasta is cooking, slice the mushrooms and trim the bottom inch of the asparagus off and discard before cutting each stock into thirds.
3. Heat the olive oil in a medium sized skillet over medium heat. Add the vegetables and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt & the pepper. Sauté for five minutes, and then add the 1/4 cup of water and sauté for another ten minutes, until the asparagus is tender. Remove from heat.
4. When the pasta is done, drain it (reserving 1 & 1/3 cups of the cooking water) and return the pasta to the pot. Allow the cooking water to cool slightly (a minute or two) and then add it to a high power blender (I prefer a Vitamix).
5. Add the cashews, lemon juice, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt to the blender.
6. Blend on high for 2 minutes, until the sauce is nice and creamy. Taste it and add more salt if desired (but remember the vegetables are also salted).
7. Add the sauce to the pasta and stir to combine. Mix in the vegetables and serve immediately.
8. Enjoy!

*Note: If you do not have a high speed blender, soak the cashews in hot water 15-30 minutes before blending. This will soften the cashews and make it easier to blend. I find that with a Vitamix or high power blender, this step is not necessary.