Broccoli Pesto Pasta Recipe 435

BROCCOLI PESTO

Steps:

• Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add broccoli, cover, and steam until tender, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Blend steamed broccoli, basil, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, garlic, vegetable broth, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper in a blender until smooth and pourable.

BROCCOLI PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Tip the pasta into a large pan of boiling salted water and cook according to pack instructions. Meanwhile, bring a smaller pan of salted water to the boil, add the broccoli and boil for 4 minutes.
• Drain the broccoli and return it to the pan. Lightly mash the broccoli with a potato masher or fork. Finely grate the garlic and zest the lemon, then mix into the broccoli with the chilli flakes and pine nuts. Cut the lemon in half and keep for later.
• Drain the pasta and return it to the pan. Stir in the broccoli pesto and squeeze over the juice of 1⁄2 lemon. Pour in the olive oil and generously season with salt and pepper. Spoon in the grated Parmesan, toss the pasta well and serve.

PASTA WITH PESTO, POTATOES AND BROCCOLI

Steps:

• If making fresh pasta, beat the eggs together in a large bowl. Gradually stir in enough flour to make a soft, pliable dough. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Shape it into a ball, cover with a damp towel and let rest for 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, to make the sauce, place the garlic, 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 cup of basil in a food processor and pulse until chopped. Add the remaining basil and process until chopped. Add the pine nuts, cheeses and olive oil and process until the mixture forms a smooth paste. Set aside.
• Place the potatoes in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Simmer over medium heat until tender, about 10 to 12 minutes. Drain and set aside. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli and blanch until tender, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Divide the pasta dough in half and keep 1 piece wrapped in the towel. On a lightly floured surface, roll and stretch the pasta dough into a 13-by-16-inch rectangle. Let stand for 5 minutes. Cut across into 1-inch-wide strips. Repeat with the remaining dough. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the fresh or dried pasta until al dente, about 5 minutes for the fresh or 10 to 12 minutes for dried. Drain well and place in a large bowl.
• Toss the pasta with the pesto and remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Toss in the broccoli and potatoes. Divide among 4 plates and serve.

PASTA WITH BROCCOLI PESTO

Steps:

• Steam the broccoli flowerets about three minutes, until tender but still bright green. Rinse under cold water, then drain and set aside. Put a large pot of salted water on the stove to boil for the pasta.
• When the broccoli is done, reserve four small flowerets for garnish and place the rest in the food processor along with the garlic and nuts. Process until finely ground.
• With the machine running, pour the olive oil into the food processor through the feed tube. Stop the machine, scrape the sides, season with salt and pepper and process briefly. Transfer the mixture to a dish and set aside.
• When the water is boiling, place the pototoes in the pot and boil for five minutes. Add the pasta, stir to separate the strands and cook until the pasta is al dente, about eight minutes. Drain potatoes and pasta together and transfer to a warm serving dish.
• Toss the pasta and potatoes with the pureed broccoli mixture. Divide the pasta among four shallow bowls and garnish each serving with a reserved broccoli floweret and serve immediately with Parmesan cheese on the side.