Here’s how to prepare a delicious Barbie Pasta.
In line with the release of the new Barbie movie, I’d like to share my cool Barbie Pasta recipe with you. You might be wondering, why Barbie Pasta? The answer becomes clear as soon as you see the pink pasta sauce. No need for food coloring or artificial dyes here – we rely on the natural vibrancy of ingredients.
So, if you’re up for a healthy and extraordinary pasta creation, you definitely need to try Barbie Pasta.
How does the pink color come about?
The secret ingredient for the sauce is beetroot. Not only does it give a wonderful color, but it’s also super healthy. Beetroot is rich in fiber, water, and various nutrients. The antioxidants in beetroot protect your cells and reduce inflammation. They can also lower the risk of cancer and atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in the arteries. Additionally, beetroot is believed to have blood pressure-lowering effects. The nitrates in beetroot are converted into nitric oxide in the body, which widens blood vessels and promotes better circulation.
Super Creamy
To achieve a creamy texture for the sauce, you’ll need silken tofu. As you may already know, silken tofu is made from soybeans and is a great source of protein. Soy is also rich in phytoestrogens, which are plant compounds that act like hormones. The most prominent phytoestrogens in soybeans are isoflavones, specifically genistein and daidzein. These compounds can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, breast- and prostate cancer.
Did you know that the mentioned health issues occur less frequently in East Asian countries, where soy consumption is higher than average?
Spices
To give the Barbie Pasta a delicious flavor, I use garlic. It not only adds great taste but also offers health benefits. Leek plants, such as garlic, onions, and leeks, have special properties. They are known to combat cancer cells while sparing healthy ones. Garlic, in particular, acts as a natural toxin for diseased cells. This superfood takes the lead in fighting breast cancer, brain tumors, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, and stomach cancer.
This makes garlic truly remarkable.
Furthermore, you’ll need nutritional yeast for this recipe. It provides a light cheesy flavor and extra creaminess. Nutritional yeast has a relatively high nutrient density, containing vitamins B1, B2, B5, B6, and folate.
Healthy source of fat
To incorporate a healthy source of fat into the Barbie Pasta, I like to use either olive oil or cashew butter.
Olive Oil
Olives are often referred to as the “fruit of the Mediterranean countries.” The olive oil extracted from them is an essential part of Mediterranean culture and cuisine. It comes in various qualities and can be used in versatile ways in the kitchen.
Due to its high smoke point, it’s suitable for frying and sautéing. Did you know that high-quality extra virgin olive oil has a higher smoke point than lower-quality virgin olive oil? From a health and flavor perspective, high-quality extra virgin olive oil is ideal for cooking. By the way, extra virgin olive oil is the most stable oil when heated, followed by coconut oil.
Cold-pressed olive oil also possesses healing properties, as it exhibits anti-inflammatory effects.
Cashew Nuts
If you prefer to avoid oil, cashew butter made from cashew nuts is a delicious alternative. They are also rich in tryptophan, an essential amino acid for our bodies. Tryptophan serves as a precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin, commonly known as the “happiness hormone.” Together with vitamin B6, it has antidepressant and mood-enhancing effects. Cashew nuts are also a good source of magnesium. This micronutrient is involved in over 300 metabolic processes in our bodies. It supports the balance of electrolytes, reduces fatigue, and plays a crucial role in protein synthesis. Additionally, magnesium contributes to the maintenance of our bones and teeth.
Isn’t it fascinating to discover how these individual plant-based foods positively impact our health?
Now, let’s move on to the preparation of the Barbie Pasta.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preparation
- Preheat the oven or air fryer to 180 degrees Celsius.
- Roast the beetroot and garlic in the preheated oven or air fryer.
2. Cook the pasta
- In the meantime, cook the pasta in salted water according to the instructions on the package.
- While the pasta is cooking, peel the roasted beetroot and garlic.
3. Prepare the sauce
- In a blender, combine the silken tofu (or vegan crème fraîche), peeled roasted beetroot, roasted garlic, and pasta water.
- Blend until you achieve a creamy sauce consistency.
4. Season and serve
- Add the nutritional yeast and olive oil (or cashew butter) to the sauce and mix well. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Serve the sauce over the cooked pasta and generously sprinkle with cashew Parmesan (Cashewsan).
The quick Barbie Pasta is now ready to be enjoyed. This simple and healthy vegan dish will not only please your taste buds but also create a delightful burst of color on your plate. Enjoy your meal!
To watch a short video tutorial, click here.
Here are more delicious vegan pasta recipes:
- Serves: 2
- Serving size: 1
- Calories: 442,9
- Fat: 23,8
- Carbohydrates: 37,2
- Protein: 15
- 200 g silken tofu (or vegan crème fraîche)
- 2 oven-roasted beetroots
- 2 garlic cloves (roasted in the oven)
- 1 cup pasta water
- 250 g pasta (of your choice)
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (or cashew butter)
- Cashewsan (vegan Parmesan, recipe in my book - Mix dein Glück)
- Roast the beetroot and garlic in the oven until tender. Then, peel them.
- Cook the pasta in salted water.
- Meanwhile, in a blender, combine the silken tofu (or vegan crème fraîche), peeled beetroots, roasted garlic, and pasta water. Blend until creamy.
- Season with nutritional yeast and olive oil (or cashew butter) according to taste.
- Serve the sauce with the cooked pasta and sprinkle with Cashewsan (vegan Parmesan).
Share a picture of your Barbie Pasta on Instagram and tag @annelinawaller.
I’m looking forward to your feedback and your impressions of the taste in the comments.
Enjoy your meal, and have fun sharing and commenting!
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