Farfalle Pasta With Winter Pesto Recipes

FARFALLE WITH PESTO

Steps:

• Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
• Drain and rinse with cold water; drain again.
• In a food processor or blender, process the pine nuts, garlic and basil leaves until finely chopped.
• With the processor running, pour in the olive oil until combined.
• Add the cheese, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
• Toss the pesto with the pasta.
• Mix in the peas, cucumber and green onions.
• Serve garnished with basil leaves.

FARFALLE PASTA WITH BEET VINAIGRETTE AND PARSLEY PESTO

Steps:

• For the parsley pesto: Bring a medium pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the kosher salt until the water tastes like seawater and stir to blend. Add the parsley and cook for 1 minute, and then remove with a slotted spoon. Immediately plunge leaves into an ice bath and allow to cool, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain the leaves slightly and then put them in the blender with the sugar and olive oil. Blend until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, add some water to facilitate blending. Taste for seasoning. Stir in the scallions and set aside in a bowl large enough to hold the pasta.
• For the beet vinaigrette: Put the beet pieces in a medium saucepan and add 1 cup of water. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Allow it to reduce until there is about 1/4 cup liquid. Add the remaining 1 cup of water and reduce again until you have only 1/4 cup left. Season to taste. Remove from the heat and stir in the red wine vinegar and olive oil.
• For the pasta: In a large pot, bring 6 quarts of water to a rolling boil. Add a generous amount of salt; the pasta water should taste like seawater. Add the pasta to the pot and stir so it doesn't stick to the bottom as it cooks. Cook the pasta until al dente (chewy but not hard or raw tasting) 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta in a colander, reserving some pasta cooking liquid in case you need it later.
• To serve: Pour the pasta into the bowl with the parsley pesto. Add the beet vinaigrette and butter and toss to blend. Add the Parmesan and finely sliced beet greens, if using. Serve immediately. Alternatively, you can drizzle the red beet vinaigrette over the pasta for a different color effect.

FARFALLE PASTA WITH WINTER PESTO

Steps:

• Prepare pasta according to package instructions, reserving 1/4 cup liquid. Rinse and dry the greens well. Remove any thick stems and coarsely chop. Pulse garlic in food processor until chopped. Add nuts, salt, pepper, and one-third of greens. Pulse, adding remaining greens in batches until finely chopped. With motor running, slowly add oil. Toss pasta with cheese and pesto, thinning with reserved liquid as needed.

FARFALLE WITH CREAMY PESTO

Steps:

• Cook pasta in boiling, salted water until al dente.
• While pasta is cooking, combine remaining ingredients except Parmesan in a food processor and process for 30 seconds.
• (To release more flavor from basil leaves, place them in a small plastic bag and bruise with a meat mallet before adding to food processor).
• Drain pasta and toss with sauce in a serving bowl.
• Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

FARFALLE WITH BROCCOLI PESTO

Steps:

• Heat a skillet over medium heat. Toast hazelnuts, shaking skillet often, until golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook broccoli in boiling water until tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a colander with a slotted spoon. Bring water back to a boil and add farfalle; cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes.
• Meanwhile, roughly chop cooled hazelnuts. Place hazelnuts, broccoli, parsley, mint, 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a food processor. Puree until smooth. Season pesto with salt and pepper.
• Drain farfalle, reserving 1/4 cup cooking water. Toss farfalle with pesto, reserved cooking water, and capers until well coated.