Farfalle With 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.

BOW TIES WITH PESTO, FETA AND CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Stir in the bow ties and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain the pasta and run it under cold water just until it stops steaming. Bounce the pasta around to get rid of as much water as you can.
• Dump the pasta into a large serving bowl. Stir in the pesto until the pasta is coated. Toss in the cherry tomatoes and the crumbled feta. Taste the salad and season it as you like with salt and pepper. You can make the salad up to about 1 hour before you serve it. Check out the salt and pepper just before you serve the salad. If it's looking a little dry, add some olive oil and stir it around.
• Pesto:
• 5 big handfuls basil leaves (about 2 hefty bunches)
• 1/2 cup pine nuts or 3/4 cup walnuts
• 1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan or Pecorino cheese
• Juice of 1 small lemon
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled
• Kosher salt
• About 20 grinds freshly ground black pepper
• 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Place all ingredients with 1/2 cup of the oil in a blender and blend. Gradually drizzle in the remaining 1/4 cup of oil until pesto is thick and smooth.
• Yield: about 1 1/2 cups

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 WITH PESTO SAUCE, STRING BEANS AND POTATOES

Steps:

• With a mortar and pestle, crush the garlic with a teaspoon of salt. Add the pine nuts and gradually add the basil and the oil, a little at a time. Grind until the ingredients have been reduced to a paste (this may also be done in a blender or food processor). Add the grated cheese and pepper and mix well.
• Bring six quarts of salted water to a roiling boil. Add the potatoes and the farfalle and cook together for about five minutes. Add the beans. Cook until the farfalle is al dente, and drain.
• Put the farfalle and vegetables in a large serving bowl. Add the pesto, toss thoroughly, correct seasoning and serve. Pass extra grated Parmesan cheese separately.

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.