Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Butternut, Sage & Goat's Cheese Tagliatelle

Butternut, Sage & Goat's Cheese Tagliatelle

Cooking with wine can pose a challenge. Mostly of the "I-hope-TheHusband-doesn't-drink-everything-before-I-can-use-it" variety. Kidding. He's not that bad. He usually leaves me a few drops at least. I'll be the first to admit that I'm no wine expert, but I do know what tastes good and wine certainly has a way with food, don't you agree?

It is usually added to stews and other long-cooking dishes, giving the wine a chance to hang out and mellow a little bit, but I figured, why hide a good thing? So this pasta dish features those autumn/winter classics, butternut and sage, partnered with a fruity, clean-tasting chenin blanc. Oh and some goat's cheese. You know I can't resist the cheesy stuff.

Just a note though - you are using good wine to cook with right? Right?? Yeah, of course you are. But just in case any of your friends still use any old plonk to cook with, remind them of the cardinal rule: if it ain't good enough to drink, it aint' good enough to cook with.

PS: If you'd like to read more about my (and my fellow Kleine Zalze ambassadors) wine adventures, hop on over to For The Love of Wine. We'll be battling it out for the grand prize of a weekend away over the next few weeks. Hold thumbs that I win, mmmkay?

Butternut, Sage & Goat's Cheese Tagliatelle


Butternut, Sage & Goat's Cheese Tagliatelle
Serves 4 - 6

1 medium butternut, peeled, seeded and cut into chunks
1/2 large onion, cut into chunks
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tbsp olive oil
250g tagliatelle
3/4 cup chicken stock
3/4 cup white wine (chenin blanc)
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp finely ground black pepper
salt to taste
80g crottin (goat's cheese), sliced
2 tbsp butter
4 tbsp chopped fresh sage

1. Arrange butternut, onion and garlic on a baking tray. Drizzle with olive oil and bake at 180C (350F) for 10 - 15 minutes or until cooked through.
2. Spoon onions and half of the butternut (reserve remainder) into a blender, along with 1/4 cup of the chicken stock. Process to a fine puree and transfer to a saucepan. Add the rest of the water, along with the wine, nutmeg and salt to taste. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and allow to simmer for 10 - 15 minutes or until reduced.
3. Meanwhile, cook pasta in a pot of boiling water until al dente.
4. Drain pasta, reserving some of the cooking liquid, then toss with butternut sauce, as well as reserved butternut. Stir cheese, butter and sage through, allowing cheese and butter to melt before serving. Add reserved pasta cooking liquid if necessary, to loosen, before serving.

Nutritional info (per serving): Calories 354.1 , Total fat 11.7 g, Saturated fat 5.8 g, Polyunsaturated fat 0.6 g, Monounsaturated fat 4.1 g, Cholesterol 20.3 mg, Sodium 241.6 mg, Potassium 358.7 mg, Total carbohydrate 48.5 g, Dietary fiber 4.7 g, Sugars 0.3 g, Protein 9.9 g

Good source of: Vitamin A 121.0 %, Vitamin C 22.6 %, Manganese 21.8 %, Copper 11.4 %

8 comments:

nina on June 30, 2010 12:14 am said...

Mmmmm, that second picture says Bite me......love goat's cheese melting into pasta!!!

Joanne on June 30, 2010 3:41 am said...

I've made something similar to these before and oh wow is it GOOD. Butternut squash and pasta never fail me. And neither does good wine.

polkadotcupcake on June 30, 2010 11:29 am said...

Mmmm.. this will be making its way to my table shortly, you can't beat pasta for winter comfort food! Yumm yummy yum!

Claudz on June 30, 2010 12:10 pm said...

Combining all my favourites! Can't wait to try it.

Unknown on June 30, 2010 12:49 pm said...

Looks delicious. I'd pair it with a Chenin that has a bit more oomph than the Kleine Zalze - perhaps a De Morgenzon or Jean Daneel Chenin Blanc. Both has more rounded palates and are fuller and richer than the KZ. Should work beautifully.

Batonage

Marisa on June 30, 2010 12:59 pm said...

Nina - That second picture tried TheHusband's patience, he was the one holding the fork. Glad it paid off though. :-)

Joanne - Too true, if you have butternut or pasta you're good to go.

Polkadotcupcake - For sure! I tend to be a lot more carb-loving during winter as well.

Claudine - Let me know how it works out!

Hennie - Thanks for the tips. A wine amateur like me could do with some. :-)

Dewi on June 30, 2010 3:34 pm said...

That look pretty delicious and quite tempting marisa!

Sylvia on June 30, 2010 9:08 pm said...

Your blog is beautiful,as well your photos.I think the same about wines,If the taste is good , is good enough to me .The tagliatelli sounds divine love the creamy texture on it

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