Thursday, July 10, 2008

Pesto and summer squash pasta

It has been a while since my last post, I have been feeling a bit under the weather, but I am starting to feel better now! Here is a great recipe for Pesto, and a pasta to serve with it. It is actually very fast & easy, and the stove isn't used for too very long, great for dinner at the end of a hot day.

Pesto
Chez Panisse Vegetables by Alice Waters

2-3 cloves garlic
1/4 C pine nuts (or walnuts)
2 C basil leaves
1/2 C olive oil
1/2 C grated Parmesan cheese
salt & pepper

Food processor method:
roughly puree the basil leaves, garlic (pressed or sliced thin) & nuts in a blender or food processor with enough oil to facilitate mixing. Then stir in the remaining oil & cheese, and season to taste with salt & pepper.

Pasta & summer squash with pesto
Chez Panisse Vegetables, by Alice Waters

Summer squashes
pasta of choice (whole wheat or whole grain rice preferred)
pesto
walnuts (if desired)
stock or reserved pasta water

Trim & julienne some zucchini or other summer squashes, and saute in olive oil until tender & starting to brown. Season with salt & pepper. Cook fresh noodles & add to the pan with a ladle of the pasta water or some chicken or vegetable stock; some toasted walnuts roughly chopped, if desired, and pesto sauce. Turn off heat & toss well, taste for seasoning, and serve with grated Parmesan cheese.

Enjoy!!

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