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You know that adrenaline rush when you’re eating a meal and it’s so spicy that it makes your nose run?

I love that.

I live for that, in fact.

Other things I love at the moment include, but are not limited to:

nights when there are no Mets, Rangers or Cowboys games on so my boyfriend actually remembers that I exist and sometimes even lets me choose what we watch on tv (but probably not since my choices seem to consist entirely of The Real Housewives of Any County, Married to Jonas, and Grey’s Anatomy),

seeing one of my labmates on the street as I am leaving for a Central Park run at 9AM (on a weekday) and he is headed into lab (shame on me) (but really, can I help it if that’s my peak running time?! the body knows what the body wants),

cookie butter (no explanation needed),

pale green pea-infused yogurt sauces that cut the aforementioned spice to the point that one’s boyfriend can actually eat it (for.the.win).

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If you are spice averse or have someone in your life who is, then feel free to decrease the amount of red pepper flakes you use.  As for me, I went full speed ahead with them.  I would like to say that’s not because I knew full well that if the.boy deemed it too spicy then it would be a “more for me!” situation…but that would be a lie.

Although, in my defense, I knew I would love the creamy feta yogurt sauce, dotted with peas and asparagus, smothering a pound of pasta and topped with spicy crunchy pine nuts before I even made the damn thing. And that’s just the kind of connection you shouldn’t mess with. Ever.

And besides. Given all the hockey/baseball games I’ve endured in the past three weeks of our cohabitation…I deserve it.

PicMonkey Collage

One year ago…Roasted Vegetable Bruschetta with Queso Fresco, Grilled Goat Cheese Sandwiches with Fig and Honey
Three years ago…Braised Tofu in Caramel Sauce
Four years ago…Indian Spiced Chickpeas and Kale over Fusilli

Pasta with Yogurt, Peas and Chile
Serves 6, adapted from Jerusalem and The Guardian

Ingredients

  • 500 g Greek yogurt (about 1 17.6 oz container)
  • 4 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
  • 2/3 cup olive oil, divided
  • 1.5 oz basil, torn
  • 1 lb fresh peas, boiled until floating
  • 1 lb pasta
  • 1 lb asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 oz pine nuts
  • 2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 lb feta, crumbled
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Put the yogurt, garlic, 1/3 cup olive oil and 3.5 oz of the peas in a food processor. Process until pureed. Add in the basil and puree until smooth. Pour into a large bowl.
  2. Cook the pasta according to package directions, adding the asparagus in the last minute of cooking. While it’s cooking, heat the remaining olive oil in a small frying pan over medium heat. Add the pine nuts and red pepper flakes. Fry for four minutes, until the nuts are golden and the oil is deep red.
  3. Drain the cooked pasta and gradually add it to the yogurt sauce. Add the peas, feta, a tsp of salt and plenty of pepper. Toss gently. Serve topped with the pine nut and red pepper flake mix.

I am submitting this to this week’s I Heart Cooking Club!
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You are reading this post on Eats Well With Others at https://joanne-eatswellwithothers.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author and or owner of Eats Well With Others. All rights reserved by Joanne Bruno.
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86 Responses to Pasta with Yogurt, Peas, and Chile

  1. Ha! I also love that feeling… especially when I have a cold or allergies and I need something to get the snot out. Spicy food always does the trick. This pasta is right up my alley!

  2. Simply Life says:

    what an interesting idea for pasta! looks great!

  3. I dig this combo in a biiiig way. YUM! Also, I am totally taking advantage of running in central park when I’m in NYC. I have to at least ONCE in my life!!

  4. Greek yogurt is one of those: “HOW DID I EVER LIVE WITHOUT YOUR” products.

  5. Somehow I don’t picture you watching TV, Joanne.. unless you are multitasking.. or scheming your next recipe. 🙂

  6. Foodycat says:

    That’s a great combination! Yoghurt in pasta sauce is such a good idea.

  7. You’ve got to love those little joys in life:-) I’ll take a big bowl of this!

  8. Big Dude says:

    While your healthy food is very different than what I eat, this dish looks like one I would really enjoy.

  9. Jessie says:

    Normally I shy away from spice of any sort, as my nose and eyes start to water just looking at anything with capsaicin in it, but this cooling yogurt dish sounds incredible – and even something I can manage! Perfect for approaching summer, too 🙂

  10. london bakes says:

    I’ve been meaning to try this recipe since I read it in Jerusalem…must make it soon because it looks so ridiculously good. Love that kick of spice!

  11. SallyBR says:

    Love the use of yogurt for the pasta sauce – and I would cut back on the garlic to preserve marital bliss, but keep the heat way up too… love that feeling of running nose and the eventual sneeze (although when I sneeze a few neighbors say “bless you” from their home)
    (not very lady-like, unfortunately)

  12. What a unique dish! I can’t typically handle too much spice but I’d love to try this one – since everything you make always looks and sounds wonderful! 🙂

  13. Oh gosh, I know this so well… once the Vikings season starts up, I may as well not exist on Sundays until January. Ah, well… at least it gives us leverage to eat what we want, right? This pasta looks delectable!

    Also, cookie butter = YES.

  14. Haha I like spicy food but not THAT spicy. I can get on board with this pasta for sure though!

  15. I do this too. Its a great idea isn’t it. I like your pictures they look delicious..

  16. Gloria Baker says:

    ah you love adrenaline Joanne I know!
    but you are a brave lafy lol
    anyway I love some spicy picante 🙂
    simetimes I love chopped some jalapeño for.my salads!
    love this plate and love greek yogurt!

  17. Marcia says:

    This looks very simple and very yummy.

    I am so lucky that the spouse isn’t into sports (he’s more into Sci Fi). About a year ago we cancelled cable TV, so no arguments here about what to watch. Everything we watch comes from Netflix, hulu, or Amazon… (or for me, PBS online).

  18. Lynn says:

    You do deserve it and that looks delicious!

  19. This is a great spring pasta recipe! We love the bright colors and the pine nuts. What pasta do you think is best for this recipe? We like using shells because they hold the maximum amount of sauce.

  20. Amy says:

    Years ago I had to go to lunch with my boss. He was a Texan and loved all things super spicy. Although he took spicy to a whole other level. We went out to Thai food…his meal was so hot that he was dripping sweat. It was disgusting. This pasta dish, however, is anything but. Yum!

  21. Pam says:

    That is a lot of crushed red pepper flakes!!! I am sure this spicy pasta would make me very happy (and make my nose run). 🙂

  22. This sounds fantastic! I happen to be a bit obsessed with peas! 😉

  23. corinne says:

    OMGosh – I love this! I can’t wait to make it this weekend. Love you blog so so much. Thanks!

  24. My spice tolerance is pretty low, but I still like things to be spicy! This pasta looks tasty. Love the use of yogurt.

    PS was super jealous about there being lab work in NYC, until I realized you’re going the doctor route. I work in a biology lab in the middle of no where and crave city life so hard!

  25. Dixya says:

    I love everything spicy food and would probably go the same route. This is going to be on my weeknight meal

  26. Geni says:

    How much do I love this dish…let me count the ways. Soooo creamy, crunchy and comforting. Definitely for.the.win. 🙂

  27. Nizz says:

    It’s spring in a bowl, gorgeous!!

  28. Eileen says:

    Ooh, yogurt-pea sauce sounds like the springiest thing ever to pour over hot pasta! I love the pine nut crunch too. 🙂

  29. Oh, I knew this felt familiar – I’ve made the version in Jerusalem. I love this variation though, especially with that adrenalin-rush chili.

  30. I love that feeling too Joanne – the spicier, the better!

  31. Allergies have been the worst the few days, so i’m thinking i might just need a bowl of this to open me right up!

  32. Debbie says:

    I love spicy food…never too much spice. Great especially if you cold! Asparagus, pasta and pine nuts. Wow…What’s not to like about that!

  33. Spicy food is my weakness! Its like a challenge of sorts to see how quickly my nose will start running. And this yogurt sounds cool and refreshing. Great recipe!

  34. That Girl says:

    I love spicy recipes that make my nose runs. The kid? Not so much.

  35. This looks so incredibly scrumptious and creamy, Joanne! Lovely weeknight meal. The spicier the better!

  36. Sam says:

    Friends of ours made this for dinner the last time we were over. It was amazing. Even D ate some…around the veg of course…

  37. You watch tv? I don’t know how you find time for it unless you’re running on the treadmill or something? JK! Love the yogurt feta sauce… Must try!

  38. This is so up my alley. Like all the way and around the corner. Down the street and downtown. Love love love meals like this.

  39. I would LOVE this. My bf likes spicy foods but hates greek yogurt and feta (boo). I’ll have to make it for myself!

  40. LOL, I’m the exact opposite – I am *such* a huge wimp when it comes to spicy foods! Shane can actually tolerate them a lot better than me 🙂 I’ve been obsessed with sugar snap peas lately, but haven’t done much with fresh peas. Love this idea!

  41. bellini says:

    I am one of the few that would reduce the spice, but I certainly wouldn’t omit it altogether Joanne.

  42. Lori says:

    Nothing like breaking out in a mild sweat and a runny nose from your dinner. I love a good heat to my meals. This sounds so good. And I might even be able to hide the peas from my husband, the one thing he won’t eat.

  43. Hannah says:

    You always manage to pick out exactly the flavors I’m craving and combine them in a perfect edible package! Awesome use of peas and asparagus, two veggies I simply can’t get enough of. Plus, I over-purchased yogurt recently and would love nothing more than to use it up in such a delicious dish. Perfect!

  44. Hotly Spiced says:

    I would like to run through Central Park – any day, any time. What a gorgeous looking pasta. I love pasta with toasted pine nuts xx

  45. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a pea yogurt pasta sauce like this – so unique! I love how the cool creamy sauce would balance out the spice, and that this dish is so Spring!

  46. why do you do this to me? I just ate dinner and now I am hungry again! AWESOME!

  47. love the use of yogurt in this and my hubby is sport mad too

  48. Cathleen says:

    Oh yum! I would PILE on the spices, are you kidding me? 😉 This looks to DIE for!

  49. This looks creamy and delicious!

  50. YEEEEEES! I live for that too. Ok… we need a spicy food date asap!!!

  51. Juliana says:

    Looks delicious Joanne, like the Greek yogurt and the asparagus with a touch of spice. Very refreshing pasta.
    Hope you are having a great week 🙂

  52. Guru Uru says:

    A spicy yet refreshing dish, I love it 🙂

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

  53. I might have to tone it done just a bit (I am wimpy like that!) but I love that it comes with its own yogurt-feta cooling system. 😉 Yum!

  54. Kari says:

    I love your loves. And I’d have this with extra chilli 🙂

  55. I love this. It sounds so perfect for spring. I cannot get enough spring vegetables lately!

  56. Monica says:

    Boy, I’d love to dig into this for lunch today!!

  57. Ashley Bee says:

    I love spicy stuff too. Burn-the-nose type. This looks like a good balance of the cool yogurt and the spicy chili

  58. Now THIS is what I’m talkin’ about! And I want all the spice.

    My dad used to say…it’s only spicy enough when it burns going in AND coming out. *ahem*

  59. Dining Alone says:

    I literally can’t make food spicy enough for my husband. I just made him salsa with 10 habanero peppers and it was ‘pretty hot’. This pasta looks awesome but for me, I’d have to cut down the spice.

  60. Thankfully, we DVR everything at home. BR loves his sports too. I love this recipe as i have a supply of yogurt left from my DIY yogurt project… and i just joined a CSA. Good times are def ahead.

  61. marie says:

    You should be my husbands date when we go to Thai. I always ruin the party because I want medium spice. Then everyone shakes their head and feels sorry for Glenn.

  62. Ashley says:

    Ooooh this looks so tasty! I love pasta with peas – pure comfort food!

  63. cindspectus says:

    Playoff hockey is the best hockey! We’re about two weeks behind on tv shows right now because the Isles and Rangers were playing on alternating days and there was always a game on.

    This looks so good. That yogurt sauce looks really nice and light, perfect for spring/summer.

  64. Yummy pasta! And I prefer Grey’s Anatomy 🙂

  65. This dish is sooooo pretty!!! I love spice, too, thanks to my husband. I slather most everything in Sriracha…helps to clear the nasal passageways for sure!

  66. I’ve been becoming immune to spicy food! I like it though because now I can enjoy spicier and spicier things. Love the sound of this pea sauce!

  67. Oh, I love spicy too! Even cutting spicy things up gets the passages open for sure! This dish sounds really good. I love the color of it and the addition of the pine nuts on top. Pinning this one!

  68. Claudia says:

    I love this recipe, it sounds both fast and delicious. And, just to let you know, my husband didn’t take up obsessive sports watching until just a year or so ago, so you can’t always tell what’s coming.

  69. i could totally go for a bowl of this now! yum!

  70. I DO know that runny nose feeling when the spices hit the palate! I love it too! I am falling in love with this recipe … peas and asparagus make for such a springtime vibe! YES! Great choice for this week’s IHCC offering!

  71. P says:

    I love spicy foods! I had this really spicy wasabi once and it felt as if my ears, eyes, and nose were about to fall off! Haha.

  72. Reeni says:

    This is my kind of comfort food! Bring on the spice and all those wonderful spring veggies! Wrap it around pasta and I am a happy girl.

  73. Don’t know how I’ve come to miss this one on the gazillion times I’ve thumbed through Jerusalem, but I’m going back to bookmark it now. Looks wonderful – loving all that chilli, balanced with a bit of cooling yoghurt – perfect. Thanks for sharing at IHCC.

  74. A big bowl of this sounds so good right now!!! 🙂 Lovely post Joanne.

  75. Joanne, this recipe interested me even more when I saw that it was adapted from the Jerusalem cookbook- with a mixture of Jewish and Arab cooking. This has expanded my culinary dimensions even more!

  76. This is so creamy, rich yet so light and delicious. I want some too!

  77. Barbara says:

    I love, love this, but I know you’ll forgive me if I cut waaaaay back on the heat!

  78. Mira says:

    This looks amazing! I love my red pepper flakes, I’m glad you feel the same way… and I love combining the spice with something cool and creamy, I love this!

  79. This looks fabulous – have everything on hand except the peas! Can’t wait to try it out, though will need to downplay the spice for my boy

  80. Michelle says:

    I’m laughing right now because at my house we often judge a dish based on its ability to make our noses run. The comment, “This is making my nose run.” is not frowned upon at our table. I like yogurt-as-creamy-pasta-sauce going on here too.

  81. Jeanette says:

    Love how creamy this light pasta dish is – and the spiciness – I’m a huge fan of hot and spicy foods.

  82. Laughing so hard about you enduring an insane amount of sports. 🙂 I too have watched more footy games than I ever imagined since moving to Oz with my Bear. 🙂 Ahhh, the things we sacrifice, eh? 🙂

  83. I love your use of pin nuts. I often buy them and then don’t know what to do with them, save pesto. I was at some friends home for dinner the other day and they put them in everything = great idea!

  84. Nutmeg Nanny says:

    Oh my goodness! I must make this recipe, this looks wonderful!

  85. Laura says:

    This looks awesome. My kids would love it.

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