Perfect Pesto with Pasta On a Budget.
These is my oldest daughters favourite pasta dish
"Mummy make the green pasta please" she would say.
These pasta dish is fast three steps & you are done & think how much goodies is in this pesto, Fresh baby spinach the pepper rocket & don't forget the star of the pesto Basil !
You can eat pasta just with pesto, but the crunchy bacon topping just taste divine.
500g dried egg pasta or Fresh pasta of your choice.
2 teaspoon salt
4 cup boil water
Pesto :
1 bunch rocket
1/2 bunch basil
1 cup baby spinach
1 small zucchini
1 clove garlic
1/4 cup pine nuts,toasted
1/4 grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
salt & pepper
Pasta Topping
dash Oliver oil
4 rashes bacon,diced
1 med onion or 3 shallots,sliced
1 cup button mushrooms,sliced
1 small Zucchini sliced
extra Parmesan cheese & same pine nuts to sever with the pasta
Method: Set the 5L saucepan on high heat then add the boil water & salt. Wait to water comes to boil add the pasta. Cook & drain the pasta & wash with cold water.
To make the Pesto: Tear the rocket leaves & place in the food processor & peel the garlic & crush lightly add to the food processor Add the remaining ingredients , pine nuts, Parmesan,olive oil, baby spinach, basil, zucchini & white wine vinegar to the food processor & puree until it forms a smooth paste. Season with salt & pepper
To make the pasta topping : Hot saucepan add oil, bacon & brown really well.
When really brown bacon adds more flavour to the dish,now add the onions but if you are using shallots add them at the end.
Time to add small zucchini, if the kids don't like zucchini remember you have got one in the pesto !
Add the cut mushroom. When mushroom are cook.
Fold the pesto in the pasta & sever on a plate,add bacon topping.
Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese on top .
Tip : If you think pine nut to expense try use almond they can do.
You can add cherry tomatoes at the end, if you what.
When I sever this to guest I add Toasted pine nuts on top.
