Bow Tie Pasta With Basil Pesto Recipe 375

BOW TIE PASTA WITH BASIL PESTO RECIPE - (3.7/5)

Steps:

• Place the pignolis and garlic in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Process for 15 seconds. Add the basil leaves, salt, and pepper. With the processor running, slowly pour the olive oil into the bowl through the feed tube and process until the pesto is pureed. Add the Parmesan and puree for a minute more. Place pesto in bottom of a large serving bowl and stir in the pasta until well mixed. Serve with additional Parmesan cheese. NOTE: Using young basil leaves will result in a fresher flavor and a prettier green color. If you don't use all of the pesto, immediately refrigerate or freeze it with a thin layer of olive oil on top. Exposure to air will darken it significantly and affect the flavor.

BOW TIE PASTA WITH PESTO, FETA & CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• For the pesto, place all ingredients with ½ cup of the oil in a blender and blend.
• Gradually drizzle in the remaining ¼ cup of oil until pesto is thick and smooth.
• This will make about 1 1/2 cups pesto.
• For the pasta, bring a large pot of salted water to boil.
• Stir in the bow ties and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 10 minutes.
• Drain the pasta and run it under cold water just until it stops steaming.
• Bounce the pasta around to get rid of as much water as you can.
• Dump the pasta into a large serving bowl.
• Stir in the pesto until the pasta is coated.
• Toss in the cherry tomatoes and the crumbled feta.
• Taste the salad and season it as you like with salt and pepper.
• You can make the salad up to about 1 hour before you serve it.
• If the salad looks a little dry, add some olive oil prior to serving.

BOW TIE PASTA WITH BACON PESTO

Steps:

• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook bacon until crisp, about 8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer bacon to paper towels and drain well. Let bacon cool slightly.
• Meanwhile, bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water; then drain pasta, return to the pot and set aside.
• In a food processor, combine bacon, basil, pine nuts and garlic. Pulse until well chopped.
• Then with processor running, drizzle in olive oil until ingredients form a thick paste.
• Stop processor and scrape sides with a rubber spatula as needed. Season with salt and pepper, then pulse again to blend.
• Add pesto to pasta and toss well. Add just a bit ot the pasta cooking water and toss again. Serve topped with diced tomato.