Mexican Style Pesto With Rice Or Whole Grain Pasta Food

CILANTRO PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Place first 8 ingredients in food processor or blender and blend until smooth, then add the pasta water. Toss with hot pasta, adjust seasonings, then serve immediately.

CHORIZO AND CHICKPEA SAUCE WITH RICE PASTA

Steps:

• Heat the EVOO in Dutch oven or saucepot over medium-high heat. Add the chorizo, brown and render and then remove with a slotted spoon. Add the garlic and onions, then reduce the heat a bit.
• Place half of the chickpeas in a food processor and pulse to process. Add chicken stock and rosemary and process to make a finely chopped saucy mixture.
• Add the tomato paste to the onions and stir, 1 minute. Add the wine and deglaze the pan. Then add the chicken stock and chickpea mixture to the onions, and stir to combine. Add the tomatoes and break them up a bit. Add the remaining whole chickpeas and simmer the sauce over low heat, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Cool and store for a make-ahead meal. Reheat the sauce over medium heat while cooking the pasta.
• Heat a large pot of water to cook the pasta and season with salt. Cook the pasta to al dente, 5 to 6 minutes, and reserve 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water.
• Toss the pasta with the parsley and the sauce, and use a little starchy water if necessary to combine.

TEXAS STYLE PESTO WITH PORK TENDERLOIN AND SPANISH RICE

Steps:

• Prepare the pesto by combining all of the ingredients in a food processor and blending well. Set aside until ready to use.
• To prepare the Spanish rice, heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Saute the onions, bell peppers, and garlic, and cook for approximately 5 minutes. Add the chicken stock and rice to the pot and stir gently. Bring the liquid to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a hot skillet, sear all of the pork tenderloins to seal in the juices and finish cooking in the oven for 30 to 45 minutes. When ready, slice against grain of meat and serve.
• To plate, place a spoonful of the rice on a plate, top with slices of pork tenderloin, and drizzle some of the pesto on top of the pork. Garnish with cilantro.

MEXICAN-STYLE PESTO

Steps:

• Char and blister the chile peppers by placing over a burner, an open flame or under a broiler, and turning until black. Place the charred peppers in a small bowl and cover until cool enough to handle. Peel and seed the peppers and add them to a food processor. Meanwhile, lightly toast the nuts and add to the processor bowl. Add the cilantro, spicy greens, marjoram, garlic, cumin, lime juice, a splash of stock, salt and pepper, and then pour in about 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil and pulse the processor to form the pesto sauce. Place in a container, cover, and store in the refrigerator for a make-ahead meal.
• To serve, place the pesto in the bottom of a large serving bowl. Heat a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta, salt the water, and cook the pasta to al dente. Just before draining, add a ladle of starchy cooking water to the pesto, drain the pasta and add the hot pasta to the serving bowl and toss 1 to 2 minutes. Serve immediately with grated Manchego on top.;
• To make stock: Place the cheese rind, herb bundle, onion, celery, carrots, lemon rind, bay leaves, chicken stock, and water into a pot and bring to a bubble, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Simmer at least 1 hour, and then remove the rind, herb bundle, and vegetables with a slotted spoon or strainer.