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This innovative recipe combines the richness of Italian-style creamy spinach pasta with the light crunch of Indian-style caramel makhana (fox nuts). The spinach pasta provides a savory, velvety base, while the caramel makhana adds contrast with its golden sweetness and crackling crunch — almost like candied nuts on pasta.
It’s a creative Indo-Italian fusion that works as a modern main course. The mild pasta gets a flavor boost from nutty-sweet makhana, making it a conversation-worthy dish for dinner parties. Think of it as pasta topped with “dessert croutons” — unusual yet surprisingly harmonious.
You can serve it plated restaurant-style by layering the pasta in bowls, sprinkling crushed caramel makhana on top, and garnishing with chili flakes or herbs. The sweet-salty pairing makes each bite exciting.
Prepare Pasta
Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup pasta water.
Make Spinach Sauce
Blanch spinach, puree smoothly. Heat oil/butter in a pan, sauté garlic and onion until soft. Stir in spinach puree, cream, milk, nutmeg, pepper, and salt. Simmer until creamy. Add cheese and cooked pasta. Toss well, adding pasta water if needed.
Make Caramel Makhana
Dry roast makhana until crisp (5–6 minutes). In another pan, melt sugar with water until golden caramel. Stir in ghee and a pinch of salt. Quickly add roasted makhana, coat well, and spread on a greased plate to cool. Break into bite-sized pieces.
Assemble Fusion Dish
Serve pasta in bowls. Sprinkle crushed caramel makhana over the top like crunchy croutons. Garnish with extra cheese or chili flakes for balance.
Crush caramel makhana lightly for better bite distribution on pasta.
Add a drizzle of olive oil on top to balance sweetness with savory.
If you like less sweet, make a salted caramel makhana topping instead.
Serve immediately so makhana stays crisp.
Yes, thaw and puree it directly.
Replace cream with cashew cream, milk with oat/soy milk, and cheese with nutritional yeast.
Penne or fusilli holds the creamy sauce well, but spaghetti works too.
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