ASPARAGUS PESTO WITH PASTA
Ingredients
500g bunch asparagus spears , trimmed of tough ends and halved crosswise
3 handfuls baby spinach leaves
2 cloves garlic, peeled
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
1 cup pine nuts, hazelnuts or sunflower seeds
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for topping
Juice of ½ lemon
½ tsp salt
500g pasta - linguini, fettuccini, spaghetti (Pasta d’oro)
3 handfuls baby spinach leaves
2 cloves garlic, peeled
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
1 cup pine nuts, hazelnuts or sunflower seeds
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for topping
Juice of ½ lemon
½ tsp salt
500g pasta - linguini, fettuccini, spaghetti (Pasta d’oro)
Method
Bring 2 pots of water to a rolling boil, one large pot for the pasta and one medium sized for the asparagus.
While the water is heating, put the pine nuts, hazel or sunflower seeds in a single layer in a large fry pan. Heat on medium heat, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove them from the pan and set aside. You will use ¾ cup of the nuts for the pesto paste and 1/4 cup to mix in whole.
Add a little salt to the asparagus water and drop the asparagus into the pan. Cook for only 2 or 3 minutes, until the spears are bright green and barely tender. Drain under cold water to stop the cooking. Cut the tips off, and set aside, and several of the asparagus (diagonal cut about an 2cm from the end) to use for garnish.
Add the asparagus, spinach, garlic, Parmesan, and ¾ cup of the pine nuts to a food processor. Purée and, with the motor running, drizzle in the ¼ cup of olive oil until a paste forms. If too thick, thin it with a bit of the pasta water. Add the lemon juice and salt, taste and adjust seasoning.
Salt the pasta water well and cook the pasta until just tender. Check the directions on the pasta package. You'll need more time for dried pasta and less for fresh. Drain and toss immediately with 1 cup of the asparagus pesto. Served garnished with the asparagus tips.
While the water is heating, put the pine nuts, hazel or sunflower seeds in a single layer in a large fry pan. Heat on medium heat, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove them from the pan and set aside. You will use ¾ cup of the nuts for the pesto paste and 1/4 cup to mix in whole.
Add a little salt to the asparagus water and drop the asparagus into the pan. Cook for only 2 or 3 minutes, until the spears are bright green and barely tender. Drain under cold water to stop the cooking. Cut the tips off, and set aside, and several of the asparagus (diagonal cut about an 2cm from the end) to use for garnish.
Add the asparagus, spinach, garlic, Parmesan, and ¾ cup of the pine nuts to a food processor. Purée and, with the motor running, drizzle in the ¼ cup of olive oil until a paste forms. If too thick, thin it with a bit of the pasta water. Add the lemon juice and salt, taste and adjust seasoning.
Salt the pasta water well and cook the pasta until just tender. Check the directions on the pasta package. You'll need more time for dried pasta and less for fresh. Drain and toss immediately with 1 cup of the asparagus pesto. Served garnished with the asparagus tips.
Comments
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Thank you to Rod Phillip of Addross Farm for supporting this demonstration