Multi Grain Penne With Hazelnut Pesto Green Beans And Parmesan Recipes

PENNE WITH PESTO

Steps:

• Meanwhile, pluck the basil leaves from the stems (you should have about 2 cups leaves). Wash the leaves in a large bowl of cold water and dry in a salad spinner or pat dry with paper towels. Smash and peel the garlic.
• Put the basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. With the processor running, gradually add the olive oil and process until the pesto is smooth. Transfer the pesto to a large bowl and stir in the cheese. Season with the salt and some pepper.
• Bring a large pot of cold water to a boil over high heat and salt it generously. Add the penne and boil, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain in a colander and save about 1/4 cup pasta cooking water. Add the pasta to the bowl. Use tongs and toss with enough of the cooking water so the pesto coats the pasta evenly. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.
• Upgrades: a. Make the pesto creamy by adding 1/4 cup ricotta cheese when processing the basil, garlic, and pine nuts. This is great with tortellini or ravioli. b. Top dressed pesto pasta with 1/2 pound diced large or halved small fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), 3 medium tomatoes cut in large chunks, and 1/2 cup pitted black olives, (we like kalamata for this), roughly chopped. c. Add cooked 1 to 2 cups chicken or shrimp.
• Twists on Pesto: In place of basil, try the following combination: 1 cup parsley, 1 cup fresh spinach leaves, 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves, 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves. Substitute walnuts for the pine nuts

PENNE WITH ALMOND PESTO AND GREEN BEANS

Steps:

• Pulse garlic, basil, 1/2 cup almonds, and 1 tsp. salt in a food processor until combined. With the motor running, slowly add oil and pulse again until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl.
• Cook penne in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, and add green beans 30 seconds before pasta is al dente. Drain pasta and green beans, reserving 1 cup pasta cooking liquid, and add to pesto. Stir vigorously and add pasta cooking liquid as needed to fully coat. Season with salt.
• Transfer pasta mixture to a serving bowl or platter and top with Parmesan and remaining 2 Tbsp. almonds. Serve immediately or at room temperature.

PASTA, GREEN BEANS AND POTATOES WITH PESTO

Steps:

• Make pesto: In the bowl of food processor, add basil, pine nuts, salt and garlic. Pulse until mixture is coarse and grainy. With the motor running, add oil in slow, steady stream. Add cheese; process just enough to mix well. If sauce is too dry, add a little more oil. Taste; add more cheese or salt, if desired.
• Bring 6 quarts water to rolling boil. Add at least 2 tablespoons salt and the potato slices. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until potatoes have started to soften but are not cooked through. Add green beans, and continue boiling another 5 minutes.
• Add pasta, and stir. Start testing pasta at 5 minutes. When it is done, and when potatoes and beans are tender, drain and turn pasta and vegetables immediately into preheated bowl. Add pesto, and mix thoroughly. Serve immediately.

PENNE WITH TOMATOES & WHITE BEANS

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic; cook and stir 1 minute. Add tomatoes and beans. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 5-7 minutes to allow flavors to blend., Add spinach, olives, salt and pepper; cook and stir over medium heat until spinach is wilted. Drain pasta; top with tomato mixture and cheese.

MULTI-GRAIN PENNE WITH HAZELNUT PESTO, GREEN BEANS, AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Blend first 5 ingredients and 1/3 cup oil in processor until nuts are finely chopped. Season pesto with salt and pepper.
• Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until almost tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Add beans; cook until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes.
• Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions; sauté until tender, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Drain pasta and beans; reserve 1 cup cooking liquid. Return pasta and beans to pot. Toss with pesto, onions, 3/4 cup cooking liquid, and cheese. Season with salt and pepper.

GREEN BEANS WITH HAZELNUTS AND LEMON

Steps:

• In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook beans 3 to 8 minutes or until tender. Drain and place in a large bowl.
• Add olive oil, lemon zest, hazelnuts, salt and pepper. Beans may be made 1 day ahead, chilled and covered. Reheat beans, preferably in a microwave.

PENNE WITH PESTO AND FRESH PARMESAN

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package instructions.
• While pasta cooks, rinse tomatoes and basil and pat dry. Cut tomatoes into large chunks.
• Place tomatoes in a blender/food processor, add basil, almonds, garlic, red pepper flakes, and salt. Blend for 1 minute or until smooth.
• While machine still running, add olive oil in a steady steam (it will emulsify the mixture into a thick pesto).
• Scrape pesto into a large bowl. Drop drained pasta onto pesto and toss quickly to coat. Sprinkle on cheese and toss again.
• Enjoy!

PESTO GREEN BEANS

Steps:

• Arrange green beans in a steamer basket over boiling water. Cover and steam 6 minutes or until crisp-tender.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat.
• Stir in garlic, pesto and salt. Saute 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
• Toss butter mixture with beans in a bowl.
• Serve immediately.

PASTA WITH PARSLEY & HAZELNUT PESTO

Steps:

• Cook the pasta in salted, boiling water according to pack instructions.
• Put the parsley, hazelnuts, Parmesan and lemon zest and juice into a food processor and whizz to a paste. With the motor still running, gradually drizzle in the olive oil. Season, if you like, with salt and pepper.
• Drain pasta, return to pan and stir in pesto. Divide pasta between serving bowls and serve.