Mixed Herb Pesto Penne Recipes

Steps:

• Meanwhile, pluck the basil leaves from the stems (you should have about 2 cups leaves). Wash the leaves in a large bowl of cold water and dry in a salad spinner or pat dry with paper towels. Smash and peel the garlic.
• Put the basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. With the processor running, gradually add the olive oil and process until the pesto is smooth. Transfer the pesto to a large bowl and stir in the cheese. Season with the salt and some pepper.
• Bring a large pot of cold water to a boil over high heat and salt it generously. Add the penne and boil, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain in a colander and save about 1/4 cup pasta cooking water. Add the pasta to the bowl. Use tongs and toss with enough of the cooking water so the pesto coats the pasta evenly. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.
• Upgrades: a. Make the pesto creamy by adding 1/4 cup ricotta cheese when processing the basil, garlic, and pine nuts. This is great with tortellini or ravioli. b. Top dressed pesto pasta with 1/2 pound diced large or halved small fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), 3 medium tomatoes cut in large chunks, and 1/2 cup pitted black olives, (we like kalamata for this), roughly chopped. c. Add cooked 1 to 2 cups chicken or shrimp.
• Twists on Pesto: In place of basil, try the following combination: 1 cup parsley, 1 cup fresh spinach leaves, 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves, 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves. Substitute walnuts for the pine nuts

Steps:

• Put the almonds in a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Add the basil, parsley, garlic, oregano, thyme and 1/4 teaspoon salt and pulse until finely chopped. Add the Parmesan and pulse to combine. With the food processor on, slowly pour in the oil and process until combined. Transfer to a bowl.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• For the polenta: In a large saucepan combine the milk, heavy cream, water, olive oil, and kosher salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium low and slowly pour in the cornmeal, whisking constantly until it thickens, about 5 minutes.
• Cover a baking sheet with plastic wrap. Pour the polenta onto the plastic covered baking sheet and spread to an even 1/4-inch thickness. Let cool at least 15 minutes.
• For the pesto: Puree the basil, mint, cilantro, shallots, and garlic. Add the olive oil in a slow, steady stream, while the food processor is running. Stir in the Parmesan, kosher salt, and sambal.
• For the lasagna: Cut the zucchini lengthwise into 1/4-inch thick slices. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over high heat and saute the zucchini slices until lightly golden. Season with salt and pepper.
• Oil an 8-inch round spring form pan. Spread 2 tablespoons of tomato sauce on the bottom of the pan. Cut the polenta into 3 (7 3/4-inch) rounds. Brush the tops with the Mixed Herb Pesto.
• Place 1 disk in the bottom of the spring form pan. Drizzle with 1/4 cup of tomato sauce and arrange half the zucchini on top. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of Parmesan. Cover with the second round of polenta, 1/4 cup tomato sauce, the rest of the zucchini, and 2 tablespoons of Parmesan. Top with the last polenta round, the remaining tomato sauce, and Parmesan. Bake for 20 minutes.
• Remove from the spring form pan, cut into wedges and serve.
• In a large pot heat the olive oil over medium heat. Cook the onion, garlic, and chili flakes in the oil until softened but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes (juice and all), tomato paste, and sugar. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until the sauce has thickened, about 20 minutes. Cool the tomato sauce for 10 minutes.
• Puree the sauce in a food processor or food mill. Stir in the extra-virgin olive oil, marjoram, basil, and kosher salt. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 1 month.
• Yield: 6 cups
• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Cooking Time: 30 minutes
• Inactive Time: 10 minutes

Steps:

• Blend the almonds and garlic in a food processor until fine. Add the spinach, cheese, herbs, lemon zest and lemon juice to the food processor. Blend the herbs just enough so they are mixed, about 3 seconds. Add the canola oil and olive oil while the food processor is on a low setting. Season with salt and pepper. Blend to desired consistency. Transfer the pesto to a serving bowl. Place the chopped tomatoes on top of the crostini if using and top with pesto. Any leftover pesto should be placed in a bowl and covered with plastic wrap. Press the plastic wrap right on top of the pesto and refrigerate.

Steps:

• Into a blender with the motor running, add the garlic and pulse until finely chopped. Add all of the herbs, cheese, pistachios, salt, and pepper to the blender, and blend until finely chopped. With the blender running, add the olive oil in a steady stream until the mixture becomes creamy and emulsified.
• Serve over pasta or use as topping for bruschetta.

Steps:

• Pulse garlic, nuts, herbs, oil, and Parmesan in a food processor until finely chopped. Season with salt and pepper.

Steps:

• Put the herbs, crème fraîche and Parmesan in a food processor and whizz together. Add the pine nuts and pulse so they are just a little chopped. Season really, really well, then divide what you want to freeze between ice cube trays using a couple of teaspoons. Wrap in cling film and freeze.
• Cook the pasta following pack instructions. Drain, then stir in fresh pesto. If using the frozen cubes, pop 1-2 pesto ice cubes per person into the pasta pan. Tip the drained pasta back on top, put the lid on and leave for 10 mins. Stir the melted pesto into the pasta, then serve topped with more Parmesan, a few pine nuts and extra herbs, if you like.