Castelvetrano and pistachio spaghetti with all the herbs
Plus, a Mother's Day gift guide
Hello! Welcome back! Skip all the rambling and scroll right to the bottom of this post for a printer-friendly PDF of the recipe only.
About a month ago I had the absolute pleasure of teaming up with a group of fantastic women-owned events businesses here in LA to put together a styled shoot revolving around the idea of using food as a centerpiece. The idea was born when my former wedding planners turned friends, Cynthia Baghdasarian and Evelyn Perali of With a Flair Events, reached out to me about possibly collaborating. Over coffee and matcha, we dreamt up the idea of a tablescape that revolved around fresh, seasonal veggies, complemented by gorgeous plates, linens, glasses, and — of course — food.
Their task: put together a team of people who can make this tablescape of dreams a reality. Mine: put together a menu that's good enough to be served on it. And that, my friends, is how my new favorite pasta came to be. It’s a twist on aglio e olio, a classic and one of my go-to’s when I have “nothing to cook,” but with the addition of buttery castelvetrano olives, crunchy pan-toasted pistachios, and all. the. herbs.
Tell me more
This is a super easy, comes-together-in-no-time pasta that manages to toe the line between elegance and comfort. It would be just as at home at a dinner party as it would on a random Tuesday when you just need a big bowl of pasta on the couch in front of your favorite TV show. And, I happen to think it would be the perfect thing to serve on Mother’s Day — easy enough that someone who might not be the usual chef of the house can make it for mom, and delicious enough to impress the pants off of anyone who eats it.
Speaking of Mother’s Day
I wanted to include a list of a few items that I think would make fantastic Mother’s Day gifts for the mom or mother figures in your life. As I assume most people who read this newsletter are generally into food, most of my ideas revolve around eating, drinking, or the table in general, though some not as much as others. They’re all things I would love to give and get.
Le Sud: Recipes from Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur by Rebekah Peppler - Rebekah is one of my favorite cookbook authors, and I preordered this book the second I could. Every page is a vacation to the south of France. The recipes are approachable and delicious, the writing is easy and relatable, and the photos — wow. Takes me back to Provence every time I open it. A must for Francophile moms.
Baroncini Olive Oil - Good olive oil is a must in any kitchen, and this is my favorite. The flavor is outstanding, and the tin it comes in is honestly just as beautiful. I love a container I can display on my counter.
Material Kitchen The Coated Pan - The best nonstick pan I have ever used. ‘Nuff said.
Ooni Koda 16 Pizza Oven - I’m dreaming of cooking up pizzas for the family all summer long in this. If you happen to be my husband reading this, this is what I would like for Mother’s Day.
Eileen West Nightgown - Once I discovered the absolute joy of well-made pajamas and nighties, there was no going back. I used to think that since it was just something I was sleeping in, there was no need to splurge, but it seriously feels so luxurious to put on a nice nightie or pair of pajamas! I love Eileen West’s nightgowns and think this one and this one are absolutely beautiful. Hill House Home also makes very soft, cozy jammies, like these. Are pajamas cliché for Mother’s Day? Maybe, but I’d be thrilled to receive any of these.
Always Home: A Daughter’s Recipes & Stories by Fanny Singer - A beautiful ode to a mother’s love, told through stories of food, wine, and travel. Singer and her mother, Alice Waters (she of Chez Panisse fame) romanticize life to the fullest. I loved reading this one.
Ivo Angel Shallow Splatter Bowl - I love how a splatterware piece can add drama to a table. They’re just so beautiful! This one is perfect for serving up a salad or, dare I say, maybe today’s pasta recipe.
Spritz Kit - I love giving kits as a gift for any holiday. This can be customized to whatever drink mom loves, but the idea is to give everything they’d need to make one — in the case of a spritz, that’s Aperol or Campari, Prosecco, sparkling water, an orange for garnish, gorgeous wine glasses, cute straws, and maybe even a jigger to measure out the ingredients.
Before we start
You can use any pasta shape here. I think long spaghetti lends itself well to this dish, but go for something short or a different long shape — whatever floats your boat.
Same with olives. Although if you choose something saltier, like kalamata, just be mindful of how much salt you’re adding (both with actual salt and with things like parmesan).
Let’s talk appetizers. If you are making this for a more special occasion rather than just a weeknight couch dinner, then an aperitivo-style appetizer is more than appropriate as a starter. Things like olives, almonds, mortadella, prosciutto, parmesan chunks, burrata, bruschetta. Any and all of these would be right at home.
For sides, I think a bitter salad is perfect. Opt for radicchio and butter lettuce simply dressed in a lemon vinaigrette with some lemon zest and parmesan cheese on top.
The recipe
Note: recipe videos are posted on my Instagram.
Serves: 4
Cook time: 30 minutes
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