Mint Pesto Pasta Recipes

MINT PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the manufacturer's instructions for al dente pasta.
• Meanwhile, put the mint leaves, pistachios and garlic in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. While still pulsing, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Remove the lid and use your hands to break up the wedge of pecorino into small chunks and add them to the food processor along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Pulse until well combined but there are still small pieces of pecorino throughout the mixture. (You do not want to blend too much because it will cause the mint to brown.) Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
• Transfer the pesto to a large high-sided skillet. When the pasta is cooked to al dente, use a large slotted spoon to lift the pasta out of the pot and directly into the skillet. Stir to combine. Turn the heat to medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, until the excess water from the pasta has evaporated and some of the pecorino has started to melt, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice and butter if using. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
• Transfer to a large platter and garnish with the grated pecorino and whole mint leaves. Serve warm or at room temperature.

REFRESHING MINT PESTO RECIPE

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Make sure to wash and dry the parsley and mint leaves well. Add them to a blender or food processor . Add the garlic cloves, lemon juice, feta cheese, and if you are adding them, the almonds. Start processing (use the pulse feature if available) and drizzle in the olive oil through the top access point as it is blending.
• Once it is completely combined and finely minced, add salt and pepper to taste. Allow the pesto to sit for at least 10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to blend.

PASTA WITH MINT PESTO AND FAVA

Steps:

• Bring a small pot of water to a boil; add 1 tablespoon salt. Blanch fava beans until bright green and tender when pinched, about 2 minutes. Transfer beans with a slotted spoon to a colander and run under cold water to stop the cooking. When cool, peel off the tough outer skins, squeezing the beans from the skins (discard skins).
• Pulse almonds with garlic in a food processor until coarsely ground. Add cheese and the oil; process to a coarse paste. Add mint, and pulse a few times until coarsely chopped. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a small bowl, and top with a thin layer to preserve the color.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil; add 2 tablespoons salt. Cook pasta until al dente according to package instructions (about 4 minutes for dried, 1 minute for fresh); reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain pasta. In a warmed serving bowl, mix pesto with enough reserved cooking water, then drain pasta. In a warmed serving bowl, mix pesto with enough reserved cooking water to form a thin sauce. Add pasta and fava beans, and toss well to combine.
• To serve, divide pasta among four dishes, and top with meatballs; garnish with mint, and sprinkle with more cheese.

SPAGHETTI WITH PEA & MINT PESTO

Steps:

• Cook the peas in boiling water for 2-3 minutes until just tender, then drain and refresh in cold water. Pat dry.
• Tip the peas into a food processor and add the garlic, pine nuts, parmesan, mint and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, then pulse very briefly until the ingredients are roughly chopped. Don't overdo it - they should still have lots of texture. (You can freeze the pesto at this point.)
• Cook the spaghetti according to packet instructions until al dente - that's with a bit of bite still. Drain, reserving some of the cooking water.
• To serve, toss the spaghetti with the pesto and about 2 tbsp of the water. Pile into warmed bowls and serve at once, with parmesan and olive oil at the table.

ASPARAGUS PASTA WITH MINT PESTO

Steps:

• In a food processor, briefly whizz the mint leaves, ricotta and grated Parmesan until you have a smooth green pesto. Season well.
• Boil the pasta, dropping in the asparagus tips 2-3 mins before the cooking time is up. When you drain the pasta, keep back a few tbsp of the water, then return the pasta, asparagus and water to the saucepan.
• Quickly stir in the mint pesto, divide between 4 plates, then shave over the remaining Parmesan to serve.