Tagliarini With Pesto Genoa Style Recipes

PESTO GENOVESE | AUTHENTIC ITALIAN BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• Wash and dry the basil leaves very well on a kitchen towel. Place them in a food processor with garlic, pine nuts and grated Parmigiano. Chop coarsely for a few seconds then add salt and Pecorino Fiore Sardo cheese cut into small pieces. Blend all the ingredients for about 1 minute.
• Add extra virgin olive oil. Blend for about 5 minutes, until you'll get a creamy green pesto sauce. Pesto must not heat up, so be careful to work quickly, using the food processor at minimum speed and at intervals, that is, blend a few seconds, stop and start again.
• Before seasoning your pasta dish, if the basil pesto is too thick, add 1 or 2 tablespoons of the cooking water; this way you'll have a warm homogeneous soft pesto sauce.

TAGLIARINI WITH MUSHROOMS, GARLIC AND SAGE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• While the water is coming to a boil, heat two and a half tablespoons of the oil in a large, heavy skillet. Add the mushrooms and saute over high heat until they have wilted and have started to brown. Stir in the garlic and when it begins to color, reduce the heat to low.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water, stir in and cook it for two to three minutes. Drain it well, put it in a warm bowl and toss with the remaining half tablespoon of oil.
• Increase the heat under the skillet and stir in the sage and pepper flakes, season to taste with salt and pour over pasta. Toss well and serve with Parmesan cheese on side.

PASTA WITH PESTO

Steps:

• Toast nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat, shaking frequently, until fragrant, browned and not burned. Pulse them in a food processor until chopped but not at all powdery.
• Wash the basil; dry it in a salad spinner. Put it in the food processor with the garlic and as much oil as you need to allow the machine to do its work. Process, adding salt, pepper and oil as needed. When the pesto is smooth and delicious, stir in or pulse in the cheese.
• Cook the pasta in boiling salted water until it's tender but not mushy. Dress with the pesto, thinning with a little of the cooking water if necessary. Serve immediately.

TAGLIARINI WITH PESTO, GENOA STYLE

Steps:

• 1 In a food processor or blender, combine the basil, parsley, pine nuts, garlic, and a pinch of salt. Chop fine. With the machine running, add the oil in a steady stream and process until smooth. Stir in the cheese. 2 Bring at least 4 quarts of water to a boil. Add the potatoes and green beans. Cook just until tender, about 8 minutes. Scoop out the vegetables with a slotted spoon. Place them in a warmed serving bowl. Cover and keep warm. 3 Add the pasta to the boiling water and stir well. Cook over high heat, stirring frequently, until the pasta is al dente, tender yet still firm to the bite. Drain the pasta, reserving some of the cooking water. 4 Add the pasta, pesto, and butter to the serving bowl with the vegetables. Toss very well, adding a little of the cooking water if the pasta seems dry. Serve immediately. From "1,000 Italian Recipes." Copyright 2004 by Michele Scicolone. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.