Pesto Pesto

I love pesto and I love pasta even more.  Such a simple meal,  but at the same time so comforting and satisfying, and comfort food is what the shorter days make me crave.  I feel if I combine the pasta with a presto full of green goodness I have achieved some sort of balance.  Plus the bright green pesto provides a welcome spring like infusion in the midst of winter.

You can hardly call these recipes as they are really about what you have to hand and quantities really should depend on your own preferences.  So look at these as a guide, a template if you like, and feel free to mix things up or add a little of what you fancy to the mix.  Pecorino would be good instead of Parmesan.  Maybe replace the pine nuts with some toasted walnuts or almonds.  Add some fresh herbs, perhaps a little parsley or mint.

Rocket Pesto...or Arugula Pesto for my American friends.

Makes 1-2 cups

Ingredients

2 cups rocket
1 garlic clove

Zest of 1 lemon

Pinch Chilli Flakes 

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan

1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup olive oil

Directions

Place everything except the olive oil in a food processor and blend.  Drizzle in the olive oil and blend until you have a coarse puree, I like a little texture. Taste and if need be adjust the seasoning.

And yes folks, that is it. Perfect as a dip or even better tossed through some pasta and sprinkled with a little more Parmesan and some freshly ground black pepper.

iPhone v camera...?

iPhone the clear winner for me here, camera dull and flat.  Though of course my lack of photography skills to blame rather than the camera!

Also in this week's vege box some broccoli.  Still craving carbs...so how to combine the broccoli with pasta?  Well that would be with a little broccoli pesto to liven things up and provide some requisite green stuff.

Broccoli and Rocket Pesto

Makes 2 cups

Ingredients

2-3 heads broccoli, broken in to florets

2 cups rocket
1 garlic clove

Zest of 1 lemon

Pinch Chilli Flakes 

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan

1/2 cup pine nuts
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup olive oil

Directions

Boil the broccoli for a few minutes in boiling salted water. Drain and place in the food processor along with the rest of the ingredients except the olive oil and blend. Drizzle in the olive oil and blend until you have a coarse puree. Taste and if need be adjust the seasoning.

Stir through pasta and top with some freshly grated Parmesan and a little drizzle of olive oil. And voila you have comforting and good for you all at the same time.  If you don't feel like pasta grill a little salmon and top with a good dollop of the pesto.

iPhone

Camera

 Enjoy!