Pasta, Nuts, and Cheese

Submitted by Clifford Boren

"I don't remember where I saw the original of this recipe, but I changed it a bit. The spice amounts are relative. I put it conservatively, as most people don't like it as spicy as Barb and I do. Jazz it up as much as you like."

 

• Ready In: 40mins
• Ingredients: 11
• Serves: 2-4

ingredients

• angel hair pasta or linguine, cooked according to package directions
• 1⁄4 cup toasted walnuts
• 1⁄4 cup toasted slivered almonds
• 1⁄4 cup toasted pine nuts
• 1 tablespoon butter (I use Smart Balance(it's actually healthy!) or 1 tablespoon margarine (I use Smart Balance(it's actually healthy!)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1⁄2 cup crumbled gorgonzola
• 1 tablespoon dried basil or 1 tablespoon tarragon
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 -2 pinch dried red chili pepper flakes (depending on your chili tolerance)
• black pepper

directions

1. Be careful toasting the nuts; take them off the fire before they turn brown, as they will continue to cook in the hot skillet for a minute or two.
2. In your favorite skillet (preferably black iron) melt butter and add olive oil.
3. Saute the nuts until just a few of them turn brown.
4. Take it off the heat, the nuts will continue to cook for a while.
5. Stir and shake frequently.
6. Dump the nuts into the pasta, add the cheese, and toss to coat.
7. Enjoy!