Arugula Pesto Pasta With Garlicky Breadcrumbs Food

ARUGULA PESTO

Steps:

• Turn on a food processor fitted with the steel blade, and drop in the garlic cloves. When they are chopped and adhering to the sides, stop the machine, scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the walnuts. Turn on the machine, and process until they are finely ground. Scrape down the bowl again, and add the arugula and the salt. Pulse until the arugula is finely chopped, then turn on the machine and run while you slowly drizzle in the olive oil. When the mixture is smooth, stop the machine, scrape down the sides and process for another 30 seconds or so. Scrape out into the bowl of a mortar and pestle. Grind the mixture with the pestle for a smoother texture. Work in the cheese and combine well.

PASTA WITH ARUGULA, GARLIC BREADCRUMBS, PARMESAN & ROMANO

Steps:

• Bread Crumbs -- In a large sauce pan (you want a large pan as you will be adding the pasta and arugula to this pan), add the olive oil and bring to medium high heat. Add in the fresh bread crumbs and cook, stirring often, until golden brown and crisp. Add in the garlic and cook just another minute and remove from the heat. Add in the parsley, parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes and pepper. If you want you can add salt, but go easy, the parmesan, and the romano which will be added to the pasta later are salty, so you do not want to over season. You can always add more salt later. Mix to combine.
• Pasta -- Now, as you were making your bread crumbs, you should of started your pasta. It doesn't take long for thin spaghetti. Cook according to directions, in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Once the pasta is done, add in the arugula and toss. The arugula will wilt up just by the heat of the pasta - there is no reason to cook it any further. Immediately, drain the pasta and arugula well, but keep some of that pasta water. It will be used to make a light sauce.
• Combine -- Simply add the drained pasta and arugula right to the bread crumbs. Toss well to combine. Then add in the romano cheese, a little pasta water, and the basil. And again, toss well, check for any additional salt or pepper, and transfer to a serving bowl and finish with the 1/4 cup olive oil. If you don't want to add more oil, you can always serve it on the side. That way, each person can add it if they want.
• Serve -- ENJOY!