Peas And Pesto Pasta Primavera Recipes

PASTA, PESTO, AND PEAS

Steps:

• Cook the fusilli and bow ties separately in a large pot of boiling salted water for 10 to 12 minutes until each pasta is al dente. Drain and toss into a bowl with the olive oil. Cool to room temperature.
• In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade, puree the pesto, spinach, and lemon juice. Add the mayonnaise and puree. Add the pesto mixture to the cooled pasta and then add the Parmesan, peas, pignoli, salt, and pepper. Mix well, season to taste, and serve at room temperature.
• Place the walnuts, pignoli, and garlic in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Process for 15 seconds. Add the basil leaves, salt, and pepper. With the processor running, slowly pour the olive oil into the bowl through the feed tube and process until the pesto is thoroughly pureed. Add the Parmesan and puree for a minute. Use right away or store the pesto in the refrigerator or freezer with a thin film of olive oil on top.
• Notes: Air is the enemy of pesto. For freezing, pack it in containers with a film of oil or plastic wrap directly on top with the air pressed out.
• To clean basil, remove the leaves, swirl them in a bowl of water, and then spin them very dry in a salad spinner. Store them in a closed plastic bag with a slightly damp paper towel. As long as the leaves are dry they will stay green for several days.

PASTA WITH PESTO AND PEAS

Steps:

• Cook the peas according to the package instructions and drain. Cook the pasta until al dente according to the package instructions.
• Meanwhile, add the basil leaves, mint leaves, pine nuts, garlic, 1/2 cup of the peas, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan and some salt and pepper to a food processor or blender. Turn on the machine, then drizzle in the olive oil while it mixes. Continue blending until combined, adding additional olive oil if needed. Set aside.
• Heat the cream and butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan.
• Drain the pasta and place in a serving bowl. Pour the cream mixture over the top, followed by the pesto. Add the remaining 1 cup peas, toss and serve immediately.

PASTA PRIMAVERA WITH ASPARAGUS AND PEAS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over medium-high heat.
• While the water is coming to a boil, slice snap peas and asparagus stems into 1/4-inch-thick pieces; leave asparagus tips whole.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add snap peas, asparagus, English peas and onion. Cook until vegetables are barely tender (but not too soft or mushy), 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute more. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.
• Drop pasta into boiling water and cook until al dente (1 to 3 minutes for fresh pasta, more for dried pasta). Drain well and transfer pasta to a large bowl. Immediately toss pasta with vegetables, Parmigiano-Reggiano, crème fraîche and herbs. Season generously with salt and pepper, if needed.

PESTO PENNE PRIMAVERA

Steps:

• Combine the basil, garlic, 1/4 cup pine nuts, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup olive oil, and lemon juice in a food processor and blend until well combined and has the texture of fresh pesto; set aside.
• Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta in boiling water until cooked yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes; drain. Transfer the pasta to a large bowl. Pour 1 tablespoon olive oil over the pasta and toss to coat; set aside.
• Heat 1 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Roast the pine nuts in the skillet until lightly browned; remove to a plate and set aside. Add the asparagus, zucchini, Kalamata olives, roasted red pepper, and sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet; cook and stir until hot, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir the pine nuts into the vegetable mixture. Add the pasta and about 1/4 cup of the pesto, or more to your liking, to the skillet and toss to combine. Serve in bowls topped with the grated Parmesan cheese.

PRIMAVERA PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Cook pasta in large saucepan as directed on package, omitting salt and adding asparagus to the boiling water the last minute.
• Meanwhile, heat large skillet on medium heat. Stir in cream cheese spread, broth and dressing; cook until sauce begins to thicken, stirring constantly. Add peas and onions; cook 2 min., stirring occasionally.
• Drain pasta mixture; return to pan. Add sauce; mix lightly. Cook 1 min. or until heated through. Top with basil.

PESTO PASTA PRIMAVERA WITH SHRIMP

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions; drain, reserving 1/2 cup cooking water. Meanwhile, heat large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add pine nuts; cook, stirring, until just golden, 1-2 minutes. Remove nuts from pan; reserve.
• In same skillet, heat oil. Add shrimp; cook, stirring, until just turning pink, 1-2 minutes. Add squash; cook until slightly softened, 2-3 minutes. Add reserved cooking water and pesto, then snap peas and pasta; gently toss until well-coated and heated through. Remove from heat; stir in tomatoes, bocconcini and basil. Serve sprinkled with pine nuts.