Porcini Pesto Pasta Food

PESTO PASTA WITH SHRIMP

Steps:

• Pulse 3 cups fresh basil, 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts and 1 garlic clove in a food processor. Pulse in 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt and 2 tablespoons each grated Parmesan and olive oil until smooth. Cook 12 ounces bucatini; reserve 1/2 cup cooking water. Toss the pasta with the pesto, 1 pound steamed chopped asparagus, 8 ounces sauteed shrimp and the reserved cooking water. Top with toasted breadcrumbs.

PORCINI MUSHROOMS EGG NOODLES WITH BASIL PESTO SAUCE

Steps:

• Fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil.
• Add salt and cook the noodles for 2 minutes.
• In the meantime, chop the fresh pistachios and brown them in a pan with a little extra-virgin olive oil.
• In another pan, heat the pesto sauce with a little cooking water, then drain the noodles and add them.
• Stir fry for one minute until the noodles have absorbed the sauce, then serve immediately with the chopped pistachios and parsley garnish.
• Variant with Mushrooms: Brown in a pan some Edendum Porcini mushrooms, add the pesto sauce with a little cooking water, then proceed as above.

MUSHROOM PESTO CROSTINI

Steps:

• Place the porcini mushrooms in a bowl of hot water; press to submerge. Let stand until the mushrooms are tender, about 15 minutes. Scoop out mushrooms, being carefully not to stir any dirt that may have sunk to the bottom of the water. Discard mushroom water.
• Combine the porcini mushrooms, button mushrooms, walnuts, garlic, and parsley in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. With the machine running, gradually add 1/2 cup of the oil, blending just until the mushrooms are finely chopped.
• Transfer the mushroom mixture to a medium bowl. Stir in the Parmesan. Season the pesto with salt and pepper, to taste. If not using mushroom pesto right away, cover tightly with plastic wrap to prevent possible discoloration of mushrooms.
• Preheat a grill pan to medium-high heat. Arrange the bread slices on pan, cut-side down. Brush the remaining 1/4 cup of oil over the bread slices. Cook until pale golden and crisp, about 5 minutes.
• Alternatively, you can toast the bread in the oven. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Arrange the bread slices on 2 heavy large baking sheet. Brush the remaining 1/4 cup of oil over the bread slices. Bake until pale golden and crisp, about 15 minutes.
• Spread the mushroom pesto over the crostini. Arrange the crostini on a platter and serve.

PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• For the walnut pesto: In a food processor, combine the arugula, basil, Parmesan, walnuts, garlic, lemon zest and juice, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and pulse to blend. With the machine running, pour in the olive oil in a steady stream and process until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper if needed. Set aside. For the pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt. Add the pasta and cook until tender, stirring occasionally, about 11 minutes or according to the package directions. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
• In the meantime, heat a large saute pan over medium heat. Melt 1 tablespoon butter, add the olive oil and then stir in the sliced onions. Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions begin to brown or caramelize, about 10 minutes.
• In the same pan, melt the remaining tablespoon of butter and add the mushrooms. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and brown, about 5 minutes.
• Add the drained pasta to the pan, along with the walnut pesto, Parmesan, lemon juice and reserved cooking liquid. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with the roasted red peppers, lemon zest and Parmesan.

SILKY BLENDER PESTO PASTA SAUCE WITH FETTUCCINE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions.
• Add the basil leaves to a large bowl, then cover with cold water and let sit while you start the pesto. To a blender, add the pine nuts, garlic, pepper, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 pepper and half the olive oil. Turn the blender to high and process until the mixture is smooth and looks like a liquidy nut butter. Drain the basil leaves, but do not pat them dry. (The excess water will help create a smooth and silky sauce.) Add the basil leaves to the blender along with the remaining olive oil. Cover the blender and process until completely smooth. Add the cheeses and process until just combined. Set aside.
• Before draining the pasta, reserve 1 cup pasta water. Drain the pasta and add it back to the pasta pot. Add the pesto and 1/2 cup pasta water. Turn the heat to low and toss together until the sauce is silky and clinging to the pasta, adding more pasta water if necessary.
• Transfer the pasta to bowls and top with extra Parmesan. Serve.

BACON & MUSHROOM PASTA

Steps:

• Cook the pasta in boiling water in a large non-stick saucepan according to pack instructions. Meanwhile, slice the mushrooms and snip the bacon into bite-size pieces with scissors or a sharp knife.
• Reserve a few drops of the cooking water in a cup or bowl, then drain the pasta and set aside. Fry the bacon and mushrooms in the same pan until golden, about 5 mins. Keep the heat high so the mushrooms fry in the bacon fat, rather than sweat.
• Tip the pasta and reserved water back into the pan and stir over the heat for 1 min. Take the pan off the heat, spoon in the pesto and crème fraîche and most of the basil and stir to combine. Sprinkle with the remaining basil to serve.

PESTO-BOCCONCINI CROSTINI

Steps:

• Dividing evenly, spread crostini with prepared pesto; top with bocconcini. Season with salt and pepper.