Sweet Pea Pesto Pasta Food

SWEET PEA PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions.
• Meanwhile, place peas, spinach, basil, Parmesan, olive oil, walnuts, garlic and salt and pepper in a blender or food processor.
• Two minutes before pasta is done, ladle out 1/2 cup hot pasta cooking water and add to blender. Pulse until smooth, scraping sides and adding additional pasta water by the tablespoon, if needed.
• When pasta is done, drain lightly and return to pot. Add sauce and toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately with additional Parmesan cheese and tomatoes, if desired.

SWEET PEA PESTO CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat broiler. Place peas, garlic, vinegar, salt and lemon pepper in a blender or food processor; pulse until well blended. Continue processing while gradually adding oil in a steady stream. Add cheese; pulse just until blended. Add broth; pulse until mixture reaches desired consistency., Cut baguette into 20 slices, each 1/2 in. thick. Place on ungreased baking sheet. Broil 4-5 in. from heat until golden brown, 45-60 seconds per side. Remove to wire rack to cool., To assemble crostini, spread each slice with about 1 tablespoon pesto mixture; top with tomato pieces.

PASTA, PESTO, AND PEAS

Steps:

• Cook the fusilli and bow ties separately in a large pot of boiling salted water for 10 to 12 minutes until each pasta is al dente. Drain and toss into a bowl with the olive oil. Cool to room temperature.
• In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade, puree the pesto, spinach, and lemon juice. Add the mayonnaise and puree. Add the pesto mixture to the cooled pasta and then add the Parmesan, peas, pignoli, salt, and pepper. Mix well, season to taste, and serve at room temperature.
• Place the walnuts, pignoli, and garlic in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Process for 15 seconds. Add the basil leaves, salt, and pepper. With the processor running, slowly pour the olive oil into the bowl through the feed tube and process until the pesto is thoroughly pureed. Add the Parmesan and puree for a minute. Use right away or store the pesto in the refrigerator or freezer with a thin film of olive oil on top.
• Notes: Air is the enemy of pesto. For freezing, pack it in containers with a film of oil or plastic wrap directly on top with the air pressed out.
• To clean basil, remove the leaves, swirl them in a bowl of water, and then spin them very dry in a salad spinner. Store them in a closed plastic bag with a slightly damp paper towel. As long as the leaves are dry they will stay green for several days.

PASTA WITH PESTO AND PEAS

Steps:

• Cook the peas according to the package instructions and drain. Cook the pasta until al dente according to the package instructions.
• Meanwhile, add the basil leaves, mint leaves, pine nuts, garlic, 1/2 cup of the peas, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan and some salt and pepper to a food processor or blender. Turn on the machine, then drizzle in the olive oil while it mixes. Continue blending until combined, adding additional olive oil if needed. Set aside.
• Heat the cream and butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan.
• Drain the pasta and place in a serving bowl. Pour the cream mixture over the top, followed by the pesto. Add the remaining 1 cup peas, toss and serve immediately.

SWEET PEPPER PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Toss peppers with oil and garlic powder; spread evenly in a greased 15x10x1-in. pan. Roast until tender, 10-15 minutes. Cool slightly., Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain; rinse with cold water and drain. Place in a large bowl., Stir in pesto, olives and peppers. Refrigerate, covered, until serving. Sprinkle with cheese.

SHRIMP, PEAS AND PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Cook linguine as directed on package. Drain, reserving 1/3 cup of the cooking water. Rinse linguine with hot water; cover to keep warm.
• Meanwhile, in 12-inch nonstick skillet, cook shrimp with 1 tablespoon of the pesto over medium-high heat 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until shrimp are pink. Add peas; cook 2 to 3 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
• Stir remaining pesto and 1/3 cup reserved cooking water into linguine; toss with shrimp and peas. Spoon into 4 bowls; top each with 1 tablespoon cheese.

PESTO SHRIMP PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 12 minutes; drain.
• Blend basil, lemon juice, 3 tablespoons olive oil, garlic, and salt in a blender until smooth.
• Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir sugar snap peas in hot oil until tender, about 5 minutes. Add shrimp and red pepper; continue to cook until the shrimp are bright pink on the outside and the meat is no longer transparent in the center, about 5 minutes. Stir basil sauce into the shrimp mixture and remove from heat; spoon over spaghetti to serve.