Penne With Ricotta And Pine Nuts Food

PENNE WITH PESTO

Steps:

• Meanwhile, pluck the basil leaves from the stems (you should have about 2 cups leaves). Wash the leaves in a large bowl of cold water and dry in a salad spinner or pat dry with paper towels. Smash and peel the garlic.
• Put the basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. With the processor running, gradually add the olive oil and process until the pesto is smooth. Transfer the pesto to a large bowl and stir in the cheese. Season with the salt and some pepper.
• Bring a large pot of cold water to a boil over high heat and salt it generously. Add the penne and boil, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain in a colander and save about 1/4 cup pasta cooking water. Add the pasta to the bowl. Use tongs and toss with enough of the cooking water so the pesto coats the pasta evenly. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.
• Upgrades: a. Make the pesto creamy by adding 1/4 cup ricotta cheese when processing the basil, garlic, and pine nuts. This is great with tortellini or ravioli. b. Top dressed pesto pasta with 1/2 pound diced large or halved small fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), 3 medium tomatoes cut in large chunks, and 1/2 cup pitted black olives, (we like kalamata for this), roughly chopped. c. Add cooked 1 to 2 cups chicken or shrimp.
• Twists on Pesto: In place of basil, try the following combination: 1 cup parsley, 1 cup fresh spinach leaves, 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves, 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves. Substitute walnuts for the pine nuts

ONE-POT PENNE WITH SPINACH, RICOTTA, AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread pine nuts on a rimmed baking sheet; toast in oven, tossing occasionally, until golden, 6 to 8 minutes; set aside.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta, and cook according to manufacturer's directions. Add spinach during last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain; return pasta and spinach to pot. Add oil; season generously with salt and pepper. Toss well.
• Serve immediately, topped with ricotta, pine nuts, and Parmesan.

PENNE WITH SPINACH AND FETA

Steps:

• Melt butter with 2 tblsps oil in large skillet over medium heat.
• Add pine nuts and garlic and saute until pine nuts are light brown, about 5 minutes.
• Add spinach and tomatoes and saute until heated through, about 3 minutes.
• Place penne in large serving bowl.
• Add remaining 4 tblsps olive oil to pasta and toss to coat.
• Pour spinach-nut mixture over and toss to coat.
• Add feta.
• Season with salt and pepper (careful with the salt!) and toss thoroughly.
• Serve immediately.

PENNE WITH RICOTTA

Steps:

• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, add the penne and cook for 10 minutes or until tender but still firm to taste.
• In the meantime, finely slice the onion and cook in a small pot with some olive oil or butter. Heat a 1/2 cup of water, add in the vegetable bouillon. Once the onion is properly cooked (should be tender), add everything else in, including the bouillon -- salt and pepper to taste. Stir the sauce frequently over low heat, should turn into a nice even mixture.
• Once the pasta is finished cooking, drain and add to the sauce. Stir a few times, turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let set for 5 to 10 minutes.

SPINACH PENNE WITH RICOTTA AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spread the pine nuts on a rimmed baking sheet; toast in the oven, tossing occasionally, until golden, 6 to 8 minutes; set aside.
• Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the spinach penne until al dente according to package directions, adding the fresh spinach during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain; return the pasta and spinach to the pot.
• Add the olive oil; season generously with salt and pepper. Toss well.
• Serve immediately, topped with the ricotta, pine nuts, and Parmesan.

PENNE WITH RICOTTA AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• 1. Spread pine nuts on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 oven for 6 to 8 minutes or til golden. Cook penne in large pot of boiling salted water using package directions.
• 2. Add spinach during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain. Return pasta and spinach to pot. Stir in olive oil and generous amounts of salt and pepper. Serve topped with the pine nuts, ricotta cheese and Parmesan cheese. Serves 6