Green On Green Cilantro Pesto Pasta Salad Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• For the cilantro pesto: Add the cilantro, pine nuts, Parmesan, lemon juice and garlic to a food processor and pulse until the ingredients are roughly chopped, 4 to 5 times. With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the oil through the lid opening. Process to desired consistency; you can make the sauce completely smooth or leave it fairly chunky.
• For the roasted tomatoes: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and add the tomatoes and shallot. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the tomatoes start to break down and brown slightly, about 15 minutes. Let cool.
• For the salad: In a large bowl, combine the pasta, chicken, tomatoes and pesto and toss. Garnish with shaved Parmesan and a few cilantro leaves and serve.

Steps:

• Cook rigatoni to al dente.
• In blender, blend oil, cilantro, garlic and oregano until smooth.
• Toss pasta and dressing, and add salt and pepper to taste.
• Mix in pine nuts and olives.
• Cover and refrigerate.
• Toss again before serving.

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to boil. Meanwhile, make the cilantro pesto: In a blender, combine cilantro, Parmesan, garlic, lemon juice, all but 1 tablespoon pepitas, and a splash of oil. Blend until smooth. With machine running, slowly add remaining oil until pesto comes together into a vibrant green sauce. Season with salt and more lemon juice, if desired.
• Generously salt boiling water, add ravioli, and cook according to package instructions. Drain, transfer to a large bowl, and immediately toss with a big spoonful of pesto. Allow pesto to absorb, 1 minute, then add 1/2 cup pesto along with all but 1 tablespoon olives. Toss gently but thoroughly and add more pesto, if desired.
• Sprinkle with remaining olives, pepitas, and thyme. Serve warm or at room temperature. (Refrigerate remaining pesto in an airtight container, up to 2 days.)