Vegetable Pasta With Fresh Herbs And Toasted Pine Nuts Food

VEGETABLE PASTA WITH FRESH HERBS AND TOASTED PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Bring a large pan of water to the boil. Add the pasta, return to the boil, then cook for 4 minutes.
• Add the peas and broccoli, and simmer for 3-4 minutes, until the pasta and vegetables are just tender.
• Meanwhile, heat a small, non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Add the pine nuts and toast for 1-2 minutes, turning with a wooden spoon constantly, until they are an even, golden colour.
• In a small bowl, mix together the creme fraiche, mint, half the basil and the lemon juice. Season with freshly ground black pepper.
• Drain the pasta and cooked vegetables in a colander.
• Place the spinach in the empty pasta pan and tip the pasta and cooked vegetables on top. Stir in the creamy herb mixture to combine thoroughly. Cook over a low heat for 2-3 minutes until the spinach has wilted and the sauce has heated through.
• Place in a serving dish and scatter with the toasted pine nuts, capers and the remaining basil.
• Season with freshly ground black pepper and serve immediately.

ROASTED VEGETABLE PASTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F and line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Place the carrots and onions on the first sheet and the pattypan squash, zucchini, and tomatoes on the other. Drizzle both sheets of vegetables with olive oil and generous pinches of salt and pepper. Place the sheet with the carrots and onions in the oven first and roast for 30 to 35 minutes or until the onions are tender and lightly charred, and the carrots are tender and browned. Place the second sheet in and roast for 20 minutes, or until the squash and zucchini are golden brown around the edges, and the tomatoes are lightly bursting. Remove from the oven and set aside.
• In the bottom of a large bowl, combine the 1 tablespoon of olive oil with the sherry vinegar, garlic, herbes de Provence, thyme, ¼ teaspoon salt, and several grinds of black pepper. Stir in the roasted vegetables.
• Prepare the pasta according to the instructions on the package, cooking until al dente. Drain and transfer the cooked pasta to the large bowl with the roasted vegetables and toss to coat.
• Add the feta, basil, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes and gently toss. Season (generously!) to taste with more salt, pepper, and lemon juice, as desired.
• Garnish with more fresh herbs and a generous drizzle of olive oil.

PENNE WITH ROASTED VEGETABLE SAUCE AND PINE NUTS - VEGAN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Place the eggplant, red pepper, and grape tomatoes on a large roasting pan. Drizzle with enough olive oil to coat all the veggies. Season generously with salt and pepper. Toss to combine. Roast for 40-45 minutes until all vegetables are tender and tomatoes and blistered open.
• Remove from oven and allow to cool briefly. Place vegetables in a food processor and process until mostly smooth but slightly chunky. Pour into a pan large enough to hold the vegetables and the pasta and keep warm over a very low heat.
• While preparing the vegetables, cook the pasta in plenty of salted boiling water according to package directions (for al dente). Drain but save 1-2 cups of the cooking water.
• Add the pasta to the vegetables, mix to combine, and add enough of the cooking water to get a creamy consistancy. Season with salt and pepper, if necessary. Pour into a serving dish and keep warm.
• In a small dry pan over medium heat, toast the pine nuts until golden brown (be careful not to burn). Sprinkle the pine nuts over the pasta and serve immediately.

PASTA WITH PINE NUTS AND SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Cook fusilli pasta in large pot of boiling water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain pasta well. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in heavy large skillet over high heat. Add pasta and fry until beginning to crisp at edges, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes. Transfer pasta to large bowl.
• Add remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil to same skillet. Add toasted pine nuts and sun-dried tomatoes and stir over high heat until just warmed through, about 1 minute. Pour pine nut mixture over pasta. Add chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese and toss to blend. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.

PASTA WITH TOMATOES, PINE NUTS AND BASIL

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add pine nuts and garlic and sauté until light brown, about 3 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and next 3 ingredients and heat through. Season with salt and pepper. Pour over pasta and toss thoroughly. Sprinkle with Parmesan. Serve immediately, passing additional Parmesan separately.

FRESH TOMATO AND BASIL PASTA WITH TOASTED PINE NUTS

Steps:

• In large pot boil pasta until al dente. Drain.
• In heavy skillet, over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and garlic; saute until tender. Add tomatoes and thyme; cook stirring frequently, until tomatoes are hot, yet still retain their shape and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 5 minutes.
• Remove and discard fresh thyme sprig, if used. Add basil and drained pasta; toss until heated.
• Transfer to serving bowl; season to taste with salt and pepper and sprinkle evenly with pine nuts.

SPAGHETTI WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATOES & PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Place the sun-dried tomatoes in a heatproof bowl, cover with boiling water, and set aside to soften for about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, bring a large covered pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente.
• While the pasta cooks, in a small pan on low heat or in a microwave-safe bowl, heat the oil and garlic until golden. Set aside. Drain the sun-dried tomatoes, reserving the soaking liquid. Cut the tomatoes into thin strips.
• When the pasta is done, drain it and place in a serving bowl. Add the cooked garlic, sun-dried tomato strips, pine nuts, and parsley. Toss well. Stir in some of the reserved sun-dried tomato soaking liquid to moisten the pasta, if needed. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot, topped with grated cheese if you like.
• Ingredient Notes
• Add chopped fresh tomatoes, a couple tablespoons of capers or sliced olives, and/or some thinly sliced fresh fennel (sauté it in the oil before adding the garlic).
• Serving & menu ideas
• Have a tossed green salad and enjoy Mocha Sorbet (page 272) for dessert.