Vegetable Pasta With Fresh Herbs And Toasted Pine Nuts Recipes

VEGETABLE PASTA WITH FRESH HERBS AND TOASTED PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Bring a large pan of water to the boil. Add the pasta, return to the boil, then cook for 4 minutes.
• Add the peas and broccoli, and simmer for 3-4 minutes, until the pasta and vegetables are just tender.
• Meanwhile, heat a small, non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Add the pine nuts and toast for 1-2 minutes, turning with a wooden spoon constantly, until they are an even, golden colour.
• In a small bowl, mix together the creme fraiche, mint, half the basil and the lemon juice. Season with freshly ground black pepper.
• Drain the pasta and cooked vegetables in a colander.
• Place the spinach in the empty pasta pan and tip the pasta and cooked vegetables on top. Stir in the creamy herb mixture to combine thoroughly. Cook over a low heat for 2-3 minutes until the spinach has wilted and the sauce has heated through.
• Place in a serving dish and scatter with the toasted pine nuts, capers and the remaining basil.
• Season with freshly ground black pepper and serve immediately.

ROASTED VEGETABLE PASTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F and line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Place the carrots and onions on the first sheet and the pattypan squash, zucchini, and tomatoes on the other. Drizzle both sheets of vegetables with olive oil and generous pinches of salt and pepper. Place the sheet with the carrots and onions in the oven first and roast for 30 to 35 minutes or until the onions are tender and lightly charred, and the carrots are tender and browned. Place the second sheet in and roast for 20 minutes, or until the squash and zucchini are golden brown around the edges, and the tomatoes are lightly bursting. Remove from the oven and set aside.
• In the bottom of a large bowl, combine the 1 tablespoon of olive oil with the sherry vinegar, garlic, herbes de Provence, thyme, ¼ teaspoon salt, and several grinds of black pepper. Stir in the roasted vegetables.
• Prepare the pasta according to the instructions on the package, cooking until al dente. Drain and transfer the cooked pasta to the large bowl with the roasted vegetables and toss to coat.
• Add the feta, basil, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes and gently toss. Season (generously!) to taste with more salt, pepper, and lemon juice, as desired.
• Garnish with more fresh herbs and a generous drizzle of olive oil.

FRESH TOMATO AND BASIL PASTA WITH TOASTED PINE NUTS

Steps:

• In large pot boil pasta until al dente. Drain.
• In heavy skillet, over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and garlic; saute until tender. Add tomatoes and thyme; cook stirring frequently, until tomatoes are hot, yet still retain their shape and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 5 minutes.
• Remove and discard fresh thyme sprig, if used. Add basil and drained pasta; toss until heated.
• Transfer to serving bowl; season to taste with salt and pepper and sprinkle evenly with pine nuts.

PASTA WITH FRESH TOMATOES AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, combine tomatoes, garlic, and oil in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Let stand at least 10 minutes.
• Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente; drain, and return to pot. Add tomato mixture, and toss to combine. Serve sprinkled with pine nuts.

PASTA WITH ROASTED PROVENCAL VEGETABLE SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange eggplant and onion on large rimmed nonstick baking sheet. Drizzle with oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast vegetables until beginning to brown, stirring occasionally, about 25 minutes. Stir zucchini and garlic into vegetables; continue to roast until all vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes longer. Stir crushed tomatoes into vegetables on baking sheet; roast until heated through, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Ladle 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid into small bowl; reserve. Drain pasta. Return pasta to same pot. Add roasted vegetable sauce and all herbs to pasta and toss to blend. Gradually add enough reserved pasta cooking liquid to moisten as desired. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer pasta to bowl and serve.