Spaghetti With Pepita Pesto And Cactus Food

PEPITA, CILANTRO AND GOUDA PESTO

Steps:

• Put the pepitas in a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Add the cilantro, garlic, orange zest and 1/4 teaspoon salt and pulse until finely chopped. Add the Gouda and pulse to combine. With the motor running, slowly pour in the grapeseed oil and process until combined. Transfer to a bowl.

LEMON PESTO SPAGHETTI

Steps:

• To toast the pine nuts, tip 1 tablespoon of the nuts into a dry saute pan over medium-high heat and toast, tossing constantly, until golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Set aside.
• Add a generous pinch of flaky sea salt to a large saucepan of boiling water. Add the spaghetti and cook as per packet instructions. It should take about 8 to 10 minutes.
• For the pesto, put 2 cups basil, the remaining 1/3 cup pine nuts, garlic, extra-virgin olive oil and lemon juice into a food processor. Blitz until everything is well blended.
• When the pasta is just cooked (al dente) drain it in a colander. Add the pesto to the saucepan then tip the pasta back in. Stir well to make sure every strand of pasta is coated in the pesto.
• Tip into a large family-style serving dish, garnish with the toasted pine nuts and a few basil leaves.

CREAMY AVOCADO PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Meanwhile, in a food processor, pulse pepitas and garlic until finely chopped. Halve avocado, discard the pit and scoop out flesh. (You should have about 3/4 cup, or 5 ounces.) Add avocado flesh, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to food processor and pulse until chunky.
• Add cheese and basil to food processor. With motor running, drizzle in 1/2 cup water, then drizzle in oil until well blended, scraping down sides as needed. Transfer 2 cups of pesto to a large bowl. Refrigerate any remaining pesto for another use.
• Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain pasta. Add pasta and pasta water to pesto in large bowl and toss until pasta is nicely coated in sauce.
• Divide pasta among 4 bowls. Top with more pepitas, cheese and basil.

PEPITA PESTO

Steps:

• Combine parsley, pepitas, basil, lemon juice, water, and garlic salt in the bowl of a food processor; pulse until blended into a coarse meal. Pour olive oil in slowly and pulse a few times until pesto has come together.

EASY PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Boil spaghetti in a large pan according to pack instructions. Drain well, then return to the pan with the pesto and half the Parmesan. Toss well, then tip into a serving bowl and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan.

CILANTRO-PEPITA PESTO

Steps:

• Place the first five ingredients in a food processor; cover and pulse just until chopped. Add the lime and lemon juices and salt; cover and process until blended. While processing, gradually add oil in a steady stream. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

PARSLEY PEPITA PESTO

Steps:

• Toast seeds in a heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until golden in spots and puffed, about 4 minutes.
• Mince and mash garlic to a paste with 1/2 teaspoon salt, then transfer to a food processor. Add parsley and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and pulse until chopped. Add cheese and seeds and process until seeds are finely chopped. With motor running, add oil in a slow stream through feed tube.