Pesto Pasta is one of the easiest pasta recipes out there. The highlight of this dish is the freshness that comes from the basil leaves and pine nuts.
Serves: 10 portions
INGREDIENTS
· Olive oil 200ml
· Basil leaves 500gms
· Pine nuts 20gms
· Garlic 20gms
· Parmesan cheese 150gms
· Salt 1gm
· Pepper 2gms
· Penne pasta 1.5kg
METHOD
1. Pluck out the fresh leaves of basil. Wash well and keep aside.
2. Grate parmesan cheese and keep aside.
3. On a dry pan, toast the pine nuts for a better flavour.
4. In a blender, add olive oil along with the basil leaves. Blend well.
5. Add cloves of garlic to it.
6. Add pine nuts, salt, pepper and grated parmesan cheese.
7. Blend all the ingredients until the form a semi coarse mixture.
8. Take a sauce pan and prepare water for blanching the pasta.
9. Add salt and oil to it. Once the water starts to boil, add in the pasta.
10. To serve the pasta hot, transfer the pasta into a hot pan with some olive oil
11. Add the pasta and mix in the pesto sauce off the flame.
12. Adjust seasoning if required.
13. Toss it well and serve with a garnish of grated parmesan cheese and a sprig of basil.
CHEF’S TIPS:
1. To retain the colour of pesto, keep all ingredients chilled.
2. To make the pasta creamier and rich, you can add a dash of fresh cream.
3. Choice of meat or vegetables can be added to the pasta.
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