Artichoke Walnut Pesto Pasta Food

PASTA WITH ARTICHOKE AND WALNUT PESTO

Steps:

• In a shallow pot, boil 1-2 inches of water and add kale.
• Cook for 1 minute, then run under cold water, remove from pot, and dry.
• Toast the walnuts by putting them in a dry frying pan and heating on medium heat just until fragrant. Remove and set aside.
• In a food processor, combine kale, artichokes, walnuts, olive oil, cheese, lemon juice, lemon zest, and thyme. Process until not quite smooth.
• Drain, and put back into the cooking pot.
• Add several large tablespoons of pesto into the pasta and heat gently, tossing until the pesto is evenly distributed throughout.
• Serve hot.

ARTICHOKE PESTO TORTA

Steps:

• Blend the artichokes, parsley, nuts, lemon peel, lemon juice, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a food processor, scraping the sides of the bowl occasionally, until the artichokes are very finely chopped. With the machine running, gradually pour in 1/4 cup oil. Continue blending until the pesto is creamy. Season the pesto, to taste, with more salt and pepper.
• Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
• Spray a 2 to 3 cup bowl with nonstick spray. Line the bowl with plastic wrap, extending the plastic over the sides. Spread enough cream cheese mixture evenly over the bottom of the prepared bowl to form a 1/2-inch layer. Top with enough pesto to form a 1/2-inch layer. Repeat layering the remaining cream cheese mixture and pesto. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours and up to 2 days.
• Invert the torta onto a platter and remove the plastic. Garnish with parsley sprigs. Serve with bread, crackers, and vegetables.

ARTICHOKE WALNUT PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
• Cook the pasta until al dente.
• In the bowl of a food processor combine the nuts, artichoke hearts, garlic, lemon zest, parsley, cheese, pepper and nutmeg.
• Pulse until chopped.
• Stream in the olive oil until the pesto forms.
• It should be thick and paste-like in consistency.
• Place the pesto in the bottom of a large serving bowl.
• Drain the pasta and add the hot pasta to the bowl.
• Add the arugula and toss to wilt the greens and evenly coat the pasta with the pesto.
• Adjust the salt and pepper and serve hot.

CREAMY ARTICHOKE PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions for al dente.
• Meanwhile, blend the drained artichoke hearts, 1/4 cup water, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a high-powered blender until completely smooth. Set aside.
• Heat the olive oil in a large high-sided skillet or braiser over medium heat. Add the roasted red peppers, olives, capers and red pepper flakes and sauté until warmed through, about 2 minutes. Stir in the garlic and a drizzle of oil if needed. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic is slightly softened but not brown, about 1 minute. Stir in the blended artichoke hearts, then reduce the heat to low.
• When the pasta is ready, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and add it directly to the skillet with the artichoke sauce. Add about 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water and toss together until the sauce and water become a cohesive creamy mixture, add more pasta water as needed. Turn off the heat. Add the basil and parsley, toss to combine and serve.

PASTA WITH CREAMY WALNUT PESTO

Steps:

• Boil the pasta. Meanwhile, put the walnuts and garlic in a food processor and whizz until finely chopped. Add the basil, cheese, butter and oil and pulse a few more times. Season.
• Pour the cream into a pan and warm through. Add two-thirds of the pesto, then gently heat to loosen it. When the pasta is ready, drain, reserving 2 tbsp of the cooking water, then mix both with the sauce. Serve immediately, sprinkled with the extra Parmesan and basil, if using. The leftover pesto will keep in the fridge for up to a week, or frozen for up to a month.

ARTICHOKE PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• In a skillet wide enough to hold them in a single layer, toast the pine nuts over medium heat, stirring often, until golden (3-5 minutes).
• Pour pine nuts into a small bowl and set aside.
• In a food processor or blender, combine artichoke hearts, Parmesan cheese, cream cheese, onion, Dijon mustard, garlic, nutmeg, and 1/2 cup vegetable broth.
• Process until purèed.
• In a 5-6 quart pan, cook fettuccine according to package directions until just tender to the bite.
• Drain pasta and return to pan.
• Over medium heat, at 1/4 cup vegetable broth to pasta.
• Using 2 forks, lift and turn pasta until broth is hot (about 30 seconds).
• Pour artichoke pesto over pasta.
• Sprinkle with parsley, pine nuts and red pepper flakes.
• Mix gently.
• Add remaining broth if seems dry.