Pasta With Cilantro Cream Seafood Sauce

CREAMY CILANTRO PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and season generously with salt. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
• While the water is heating and pasta is cooking, make the cilantro pesto. Place all the ingredients, except olive oil, in a food processor and pulse until combined and it looks like a rough paste, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. While the food processor is running, pour olive oil in a steady stream and process until smooth.
• When pasta is ready, save about 1/2 cup of pasta water (don't forget, it's important for the sauce!) and drain the pasta in a colander.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat, and cook garlic for 30 seconds or so, until fragrant. Pour cream and mix. Turn off the heat and stir in cilantro pesto. Add cooked pasta and toss to coat with the sauce. Add a little bit of pasta cooking water, a little bit at a time, until you reach a perfectly smooth texture. Taste and adjust salt as needed. Serve immediately.

CREAMY GARLIC SEAFOOD PASTA

Steps:

• In a large pan, add a splash of oil and allow to heat up.
• Season the seafood with salt and pepper then cook in batches until golden brown.
• The shrimp/prawns should take no more than a minute per side (depending on size) and the calamari and mussels will take only a few minutes to cook. Take care not to overcook the seafood as they will go tough and rubbery. Rather undercook slightly as it will cook a little more while being tossed with the sauce and pasta.
• Remove the seafood from the pan and set aside.
• In the same pan, melt the butter and add the garlic and chilli flakes. Cook until fragrant then pour in the lemon juice and wine.
• Bring to a simmer and allow to reduce by half.
• Pour in the cream and allow to come to a simmer. Allow to cook for 5 minutes or until the sauce coats the back of a spoon.
• Add the seafood (and any of its resting juices) and parsley and stir to combine.
• Toss the sauce with cooked pasta and a splash of the pasta cooking water and toss to coat the pasta. Serve sprinkled with parsley.

SPAGHETTI WITH CILANTRO SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan of salted boiling water add spaghetti and cook until al dente.
• Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook stirring occasionally for 3 to 5 minutes or until the onion is soft.
• Add the tomatoes, cilantro, broth and salt and simmer 2 minutes. Drain pasta, add to saucepan and cook tossing until combined well. Transfer to a warm serving platter and serve hot.