Red Pepper Hazelnut Pesto Pasta Food

QUICK AND EASY ROASTED RED PEPPER PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
• Meanwhile, add the oil and butter to a large skillet over medium-high heat and melt the butter. Add the garlic and onions and saute until starting to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the chopped red peppers and cook until hot, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Carefully transfer the contents of the skillet to a food processor or blender. Put on the lid and puree the pepper mixture until totally blended (there will still be some texture to the peppers).
• Pour the pepper puree back into the skillet. Add the broth, 1/2 teaspoon salt and some pepper, and stir until heated. Splash in the cream and stir to combine. Add the parsley and basil and stir to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning if you need to.
• Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet. Add the Parmesan, and then stir it together to coat the pasta.
• Serve in bowls with extra Parmesan and a sprinkling of parsley and basil on top.

WALNUT & RED PEPPER PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Cook the pasta following pack instructions. Meanwhile, toast the walnuts in a dry pan for a few mins. Add half the walnuts to the small bowl of a food processor or a hand chopper, along with the red peppers, Parmesan, garlic, basil, oil and some seasoning. Whizz to a paste, adding a splash of water from the pasta if it is a little dry.
• Drain the pasta, reserving a cup of the cooking water. Return the pasta to the pan and set over a low heat. Add the pesto, mascarpone and 3-4 tbsp of the reserved pasta water, then stir until the mascarpone has melted, adding a splash more pasta water if the sauce needs thinning. To serve, crush the remaining walnuts in your hand and scatter over the pasta with a few more basil leaves and some extra Parmesan.

PASTA WITH PARSLEY & HAZELNUT PESTO

Steps:

• Cook the pasta in salted, boiling water according to pack instructions.
• Put the parsley, hazelnuts, Parmesan and lemon zest and juice into a food processor and whizz to a paste. With the motor still running, gradually drizzle in the olive oil. Season, if you like, with salt and pepper.
• Drain pasta, return to pan and stir in pesto. Divide pasta between serving bowls and serve.

PASTA WITH SPICY ALMOND OR HAZELNUT PESTO

Steps:

• In a pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta until al dente; drain, reserving 3/4 cup of the cooking water.
• Meanwhile, in a small skillet, heat 1/2 cup of the olive oil until shimmering.
• Fry the sage leaves over moderate heat, turning occasionally, until crisp.
• Drain the sage on paper towels, then chop half of the leaves.
• Combine the chopped sage, garlic, almond butter, remaining 1/4 cup of oil, scallion, zest, red pepper and all but 2 tablespoons of the cheese.
• Toss the pasta with the pesto; add the pasta water as necessary to make a creamy sauce.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Top with the remaining cheese and whole sage leaves and serve.

CHICKEN, RED BELL PEPPER, & PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Cook bell pepper in 2 tsp oil in a small saucepan. Remove from pan.
• Cook whole chicken breast in leftover oil, plus ~2tsp. Remove from pan. Allow to cool. Cut into bite-sized pieces.
• Mix pesto package with water and oil. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Turn heat to low.
• Add chicken and pepper to pesto sauce, cook under low heat, covered, ~5 minutes, until everything's warm.
• Mix pasta into the sauce, pepper, and chicken.
• Keep on low heat, uncovered, 5 minutes to let flavors mingle (or not, if you want more distinct flavor).
• Enjoy!