Pea Pesto Handkerchiefs Recipes

PEA-PESTO HANDKERCHIEFS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Toast pine nuts on a rimmed baking sheet 5 to 7 minutes; set aside. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; add peas and cook until bright green and tender, about 1 minute. Transfer to a plate with a slotted spoon. Let cool slightly.
• When cool enough to handle, add half of peas to a food processor with basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and 1 tablespoon water. Pulse until a paste forms. With machine running, slowly drizzle in oil. Season with salt and pepper.
• Return water in pot to a boil; add pasta, a handful at a time. Cook according to package instructions, stirring frequently, until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water; drain. Return pasta to pot; toss with pesto and reserved pasta water. Divide among 4 plates; top with remaining peas and more basil leaves and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Dollop with ricotta, drizzle with oil, and serve.

PEA PESTO CROSTINI

Steps:

• For the pea pesto: Pulse together the peas, garlic, Parmesan, 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper in a food processor. With the machine running, slowly add the olive oil until well combined, about 1 to 2 minutes. Season with additional salt and pepper, if needed. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
• For the crostini: Preheat a stovetop griddle or grill pan on medium-high heat. Brush both sides of the sliced bread with olive oil and grill until golden, about 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the bread to a clean surface and spread 1 to 2 tablespoons of the prepared pesto on each slice.
• Top with tomato halves and serve.
• *Cook's note: If you don't have day-old bread on hand, you can dry out fresh bread by putting the slices in a preheated 300 degree F oven until slightly crisp, about 5 minutes.

CHEAPO PEA PESTO

Steps:

• Combine the peas, walnuts and garlic in a food processor. Pulse until chopped into a thick mixture. Add the cheese and lemon juice and pulse again until incorporated.
• With the machine running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until a thick paste is formed. Turn off the machine and season with salt and pepper. Pulse the pesto one final time to incorporate the seasoning.
• Serve over crostini for an easy appetizer.

SWEET PEA PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions.
• Meanwhile, place peas, spinach, basil, Parmesan, olive oil, walnuts, garlic and salt and pepper in a blender or food processor.
• Two minutes before pasta is done, ladle out 1/2 cup hot pasta cooking water and add to blender. Pulse until smooth, scraping sides and adding additional pasta water by the tablespoon, if needed.
• When pasta is done, drain lightly and return to pot. Add sauce and toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately with additional Parmesan cheese and tomatoes, if desired.

PEA PESTO OPEN-FACED SANDWICHES

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine basil, peas, garlic, salt, pepper, and extra virgin olive oil. Process until smooth and blended.
• Toast bread in oven (350 degrees F) or toaster for about 3-4 minutes.
• In a small non-stick saute pan, over medium heat, break Eggland's Best egg onto surface, carefully.
• Fry until transparent membrane turns to white, and yolk is cooked.
• Remove and repeat for each egg.
• Spread about one tablespoon of pesto atop each piece of toast.
• Gently lay each egg atop the pesto.
• Sprinkle with extra salt, pepper, and extra virgin olive oil (optional).