Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Spinach Pesto Pasta with Mushrooms, Onions & Tomatoes

I know, I know - more spinach - but I really wanted to share a new family favorite (no, Monkey won't try it yet but I know he'd like it). So really I guess that's 2 out of 3 which ain't too bad.

So here goes (all amounts are approximate).

You'll need:

For the pesto:
2+ cups of pre-washed spinach leaves
1/4 cup walnuts
1-2 garlic cloves minced
1 T nutritional yeast (optional - or some grated cheese like parmigiano or pecorino)
olive oil
salt/pepper
(food processor)

For the rest:

Pasta of your choice (we use whole wheat penne)
10+ mushrooms (we used crimini) sliced
1/2 large yellow onion or whole small one (sweet onions are good too!)
1-3 garlic cloves minced
bunch of cherry tomatoes (halved)


While cooking the pasta saute the onions, mushrooms and garlic. Add tomatoes for last minute of cooking (or add after pasta is assembled if you don't want them cooked at all).

To assemble the pesto:

Put the spinach, walnuts, garlic, yeast in the food processor - stream olive oil while blending to desired consistency.

When pasta and veggies are done - combine pasta, veggies and pesto - adjust seasonings and serve. It's good room temperature as well.

Optional - top with some roasted pine nuts

4 comments:

ksjjpalmer said...

yummers! We're coming over for dinner!

dv.x.3 said...

So you just answered my "what's for dinner?" question. A great dish for hot weather -- I added a handful of basil leaves to the pesto because they were lying around, and added yellow crookneck squash for a little crunch. A big hit (with the big people, at least, though Jules DID try "the green pasta"). Thanks for the recipe!

Stacey said...

Too hard (for me.) :)

Amber said...

great recipes. i always feel that way about stella, btw. she doesn't seem willing to try new things anymore but it kills me because i know she'd enjoy certain things if she'd only give it a shot.