Description
Middle Eastern comfort calls for macarona bi laban, a creamy yogurt pasta dancing with tangy simplicity. Garlic-infused sauce and golden pasta create a delightful harmony you’ll savor from first bite to last.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 250 grams (8.8 ounces) pasta (penne or elbow macaroni)
- 2 cups plain yogurt (full-fat)
Seasoning and Flavoring:
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried mint
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Garnish and Cooking Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon pine nuts
- Fresh mint
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and retain 1/4 cup of pasta water.
- Create a creamy sauce by vigorously whisking yogurt with olive oil, crushed garlic, seasoning, and lemon juice until smooth and well-integrated.
- Gently fold cooked pasta into the yogurt mixture, ensuring each strand is evenly coated. Adjust sauce consistency by gradually incorporating reserved pasta water.
- Sprinkle dried mint throughout the pasta, stirring to distribute the herb’s aromatic flavor evenly.
- For enhanced texture and nuttiness, carefully toast pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden brown, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Scatter toasted pine nuts over the pasta and garnish with fresh mint leaves for a vibrant, aromatic finish. Serve immediately while warm to enjoy optimal flavor and texture.
Notes
- Adjust yogurt thickness by mixing in reserved pasta water for a silky, smooth sauce that clings perfectly to every pasta strand.
- Toast pine nuts carefully to enhance their nutty flavor, watching closely to prevent burning and create a delightful crunchy texture.
- Experiment with Greek yogurt for extra tanginess or use plant-based yogurt to make the dish vegan-friendly and accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Choose fresh mint leaves for a vibrant, aromatic finish that brightens the creamy pasta and adds a refreshing summer-like quality to the dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 324 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg