Fettuccine With Merguez And Mint Pesto Recipes

FETTUCCINE WITH MERGUEZ AND MINT PESTO

Steps:

• Make the pesto: Turn on food processor, and drop garlic through feed tube to mince. Add pine nuts through the tube and grind. Add mint leaves and process until mixture is combined. Scrape down bowl, and with machine running, slowly drizzle in the 1/3 cup olive oil. Process until blended. Transfer to a small bowl and season to taste with salt. Set aside.
• Make the pasta: Heat 3 quarts water in a large pot. As water comes to boil, heat oil in a large sauté pan, and sauté onion on medium-low until soft. Stir in cumin. Add merguez, increase heat to medium and cook, using two forks to break up the sausage and stirring all the while, until the meat is nubbly and no longer looks raw. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, olives and 2 tablespoons of the pesto. Reduce heat to low.
• Add fettuccine to boiling water and cook about 5 minutes, until nearly al dente. Drain, reserving 3/4 cup of the pasta water, and set pasta aside. Add pasta water to the merguez mixture and let cook until liquid in the pan just coats the ingredients. Stir in lemon juice. Add fettuccine to sauté pan, tossing with other ingredients over low heat. Add salt to taste. Transfer to individual bowls or a serving dish and serve with remaining pesto alongside.

MINT PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the manufacturer's instructions for al dente pasta.
• Meanwhile, put the mint leaves, pistachios and garlic in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. While still pulsing, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Remove the lid and use your hands to break up the wedge of pecorino into small chunks and add them to the food processor along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Pulse until well combined but there are still small pieces of pecorino throughout the mixture. (You do not want to blend too much because it will cause the mint to brown.) Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
• Transfer the pesto to a large high-sided skillet. When the pasta is cooked to al dente, use a large slotted spoon to lift the pasta out of the pot and directly into the skillet. Stir to combine. Turn the heat to medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, until the excess water from the pasta has evaporated and some of the pecorino has started to melt, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice and butter if using. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
• Transfer to a large platter and garnish with the grated pecorino and whole mint leaves. Serve warm or at room temperature.

FETTUCCINE WITH MINT-SPINACH PESTO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs for al dente. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain and return to the pot.
• Meanwhile, toast the almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat until just golden, about 5 minutes. Let cool.
• Combine the almonds, spinach, mint and garlic in a food processor and process to make a slightly chunky paste. With the motor running, add the olive oil in a steady stream to make a smooth pesto.
• Add the pesto to the pasta along with the pecorino; season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat, adding the reserved cooking water as needed to loosen. Serve with more pecorino for topping.

FETTUCCINE WITH PESTO SAUCE

Steps:

• place basil, garlic, pine nuts, and cheese in a food processor and process about 15 seconds.
• With processor still on pour oil in through the tube in a steady stream till all the oil is used.
• Turn off processor.
• Cook fettuccine in salted boiling water to your taste.
• Drain pasta well.
• Add a some sauce to the pasta and mix pasta with the sauce.
• Serve pasta and add sauce to your liking.

FETTUCCINE WITH LEMON, MINT, AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid.
• Transfer pasta to a large bowl, and mix in reserved cooking liquid, cheese, lemon zest and juice, mint, oil, and red-pepper flakes, if desired. Divide among dishes, garnish with cheese, and serve immediately.

FETTUCCINE WITH PISTACHIO-MINT PESTO AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Combine mint leaves, parsley leaves, 1/4 cup pistachios, olive oil, kosher salt, ground black pepper, and garlic in a mini food processor; pulse mixture until coarsely chopped.
• Cook fettuccine according to package instructions, omitting salt and fat. Drain fettuccine over a bowl, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid. Combine pesto mixture and reserved cooking liquid in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add pasta to bowl; toss well to coat. Gently fold in cherry tomatoes. Coarsely chop remaining 4 teaspoons pistachios. Top pasta evenly with romano cheese and chopped pistachios.