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Mandilli de Saea
Mandilli de Saea, known as Silk Handkerchiefs, is a delightful traditional pasta dish hailing from the picturesque region of Liguria, Italy. This dish features delicate, thin pasta sheets that are enveloped in a luxurious, creamy pesto sauce made from fresh basil, sweet garlic, and rich Parmesan cheese. Each bite is a harmonious blend of flavors that transports you straight to the Mediterranean coast. Perfect for a special occasion or a cozy dinner, Mandilli de Saea is sure to impress your guests and leave them craving more!
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- 2 cups
- Eggs
- 3 large
- Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon, plus more for boiling
- Fresh basil leaves
- 2 cups, packed
- Garlic cloves
- 2, peeled
- Pine nuts
- 1/3 cup, toasted
- Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup, grated, plus extra for serving
- Olive oil
- 1/2 cup, plus extra for drizzling
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, eggs, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Knead the mixture until a smooth and elastic dough forms, about 10 minutes. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes at room temperature.
- After resting, divide the dough into quarters. Roll out each portion on a floured surface as thin as possible, ideally to about 1/16 inch. Cut the rolled dough into square sheets, approximately 4x4 inches.
- For the pesto sauce, combine the basil, garlic, toasted pine nuts, and grated Parmesan cheese in a food processor. Blitz until finely chopped. With the processor running, gradually add the olive oil until the mixture becomes a smooth paste. If necessary, adjust the consistency by adding a bit more olive oil.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the mandilli pasta sheets and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until they float and are tender but still al dente.
- Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta. Immediately toss the pasta with the pesto sauce, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to achieve your desired consistency.
- Plate the pasta and drizzle with a bit of olive oil. Serve with extra grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Tips
- For an enhanced pesto flavor, consider adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
- To make the dish more decadent, you can add a splash of heavy cream to the pesto sauce.
- Experiment with different nuts, such as walnuts or cashews, for a unique twist on traditional pesto.
Dietary Information
Servings: 4 Dish Type: Main Course Prep Time: 45 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Calories: 580 Fat: 38g Carbs: 45g Protein: 20g Sodium: 400mg Sugar: 2g
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