Friday, June 3, 2011

Pesto Pasta



WHOEVER INVENTED THIS, thank you from the bottom of my heart.  Easy, delicious, perfect summertime dish.  Pasta, thank you for existing!!


PESTO PASTA SALAD/ Asparagus

Pesto:

3 cups packed fresh basil
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 tbls. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. blk. pepper
1/3 cup pine nuts, toasted
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Salad:

1 lb. asparagus, cut into thirds
1 lb. spiral pasta, or any short pasta
2 pints cherry tomatoes, halved

Cook asparagus in salted, boiling water for about 4 minutes.  Drain and put in ice/ very cold water to keep crisp and green.
Cook pasta until al dente, drain and run under cold water, put aside.

Make pesto:
In food processor puree basil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and pine nuts till smooth.  Add olive oil while motor is running, and process till a thick paste forms.  Add Parmesan and pulse a couple of times.

Make salad:
In large bowl, combine pesto, cold pasta , tomatoes, and asparagus.  Serve at room temerature, or refrigerate to chill.   Serves 8

12 comments:

Bubba said...

You had me at 'asparagus' Lyn! :)

Blue Sky Dreaming said...

And thank you for posting this great salad. I'm holding the keys and on my way out the door...grabbing my list...pick up asparagus etc...!!

Margie said...

Oh, this is a wonderful recipe!
Thank you for sharing it!
I'm going to make it!

Have a great weekend, Lyn.

Margie :)

Lyn said...

Hi Eric-
Yes for asparagus..I'd make it into dessert if I could!!

Lyn said...

Hi Blue Sky-
I think we'll be having dinner together..now wouldn't that be fun!!

Lyn said...

Hi Margie-
I'm sure you'll enjoy it..yummo all the way!
good weekend, too!!

Jeane Myers said...

be still my heart! yum! xo

Lu Ann said...

Oh! Sure Im gonna prepare that soon! Hope it goes out well :)

Lyn said...

Hi Jeane-
Never ending pasta..thank goodness!!

Lyn said...

Hi Lu Ann-
I'm sure you won't have any problems with this one..enjoy!!

Deedee said...

oh, that sounds yummy- I can almost taste it. Pasta salad of any kind is one of my very favorite foods. Thanks, Lyn.

Lyn said...

Hi Deedee-
Thanks so much for stopping by..welcome! I'm sure you'll enjoy this..

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