Linguine With Winter Pesto Recipes

PESTO WITH LINGUINI

Steps:

• Using a pestle and mortar, combine the basil, cheeses, pine nuts, garlic, and salt and grind until a paste is formed. Add the olive oil slowly and mix with the mashed basil mixture until well combined.
• Prepare pasta in boiling water and drain. Using a hot skillet, place pasta in skillet and add the pesto to the warm pasta. Stir the pesto into the pasta and serve.

LINGUINE WITH WINTER PESTO

Steps:

• Combine first 6 ingredients in processor and blend to coarse puree. Blend in cheese using on/off turns. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 1 week ahead. Transfer pesto to jar. Pour enough additional oil over pesto to cover completely. Cover and refrigerate. Pour off extra oil before using.)
• Cook linguine in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain well. Return to same pot. Add pesto sauce and toss to coat pasta evenly. Transfer to large platter. Garnish with chopped pine nuts.

LYNNE'S LINGUINE CON PESTO DI PISTACCHI

Steps:

• Heat a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Pile in pistachios and pine nuts. Cook, stirring frequently, until light brown and incredibly nutty-smelling, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a food processor.
• Add garlic to the skillet and cook, turning occasionally, until softened and browned in patches, about 5 minutes. Remove to a plate to cool.
• Peel cooled garlic and add to the food processor, along with basil, and process. With the blade still running, drizzle oil in through the chute. Once incorporated, transfer to a large bowl. Stir in salt, black pepper, and red pepper.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook linguine at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Reserve about 3/4 cup pasta water. Drain remaining water from pasta and give the colander a good shake or two.
• Add pasta and tomatoes to pesto. Give it all a good mix and drizzle in enough of the reserved pasta water to get the nutty pesto to coat the pasta. Sprinkle with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

WINTER PESTO

Steps:

• Mince and mash the garlic to a paste with salt.
• In a processor or blender, puree spinach with parsley, oil, walnuts, Parmesan, fennel and garlic paste.
• The pesto keeps, covered with a thin film of olive oil and chilled, up to 2 weeks.
• This makes enough to use with up to 2 ½ lbs of pasta.

LINGUINE WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATO PESTO

Steps:

• Blend first 5 ingredients in processor until nuts are finely chopped. With machine running, gradually add oil, then 1/2 cup water, blending until almost smooth. Transfer pesto to bowl. Mix in 1/3 cup cheese. Season to taste with salt.
• Cook linguine in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain, reserving 1 cup cooking water. Return pasta to pot. Add pesto and toss to coat, adding enough reserved water to form thin sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Serve, passing remaining cheese.