Pistachio Asparagus Pesto Pasta Recipes

PENNE WITH PISTACHIOS, ASPARAGUS, AND CREAM

Steps:

• Cook the asparagus in a stockpot in boiling salted water, uncovered, over medium-high heat until tender, about 3 minutes. Remove the asparagus, saving the water so the pasta can be prepared in the same pot.
• Sauté garlic in butter in a sauté pan over medium heat.
• Meanwhile start cooking the pasta, according to package directions.
• Add the asparagus and pepper.
• Increase heat to high and pour in the wine, stirring for about 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium.
• Pour the half and half and the cream over asparagus mixture and simmer for 2 minutes.
• Season with salt.
• When pasta is done, drain and return to pot.
• Combine asparagus sauce with pasta, stirring over medium heat.
• Add cheese, stirring until it melts; transfer to platter.
• Garnish with pistachio nuts and serve immediately.

ASPARAGUS PESTO

Steps:

• Cut the cooked asparagus spears into thirds. Put in a food processor with the basil, pine nuts, garlic, and salt and pepper, to taste. Keep in mind you will add Parmesan as well, so be careful not to oversalt. With the machine running, slowly add the cup of olive oil. When the sauce is about the consistency of mayonnaise, it has enough oil. Pulse in the Parmesan. Thin with water, if necessary, to achieve a slick, saucy pesto. Scrape into a bowl or jar, cover, and refrigerate until needed. You should have about 3 cups. (Keeps about 2 to 3 days, refrigerated.)
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ASPARAGUS PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Cook 1 pound trimmed asparagus in salted boiling water until crisp-tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to ice water to cool; drain and pat dry, then roughly chop. Puree the asparagus in a food processor with 1 cup fresh parsley, 1/2 cup fresh mint, 1/3 cup toasted unsalted pistachios, 1 garlic clove, 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and a few grinds of pepper. Drizzle in 1/3 cup olive oil and puree until smooth. Toss with 1 pound cooked pasta and 3/4 cup parmesan, adding pasta cooking water as needed to loosen.

PISTACHIO PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions.
• While the pasta is cooking, make the pistachio pesto. Combine the pistachios, basil, olive oil, Parmesan, garlic, lemon zest and juice and some salt and pepper in a food processor and process until well combined.
• Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and drain the pasta. Toss the pasta with the pistachio sauce, thinning with the pasta water for the desired consistency if necessary. Serve with more Parmesan and basil leaves.