Today we will learn basil spinach pesto pasta. This Italian veg pesto pasta is high in nutrition and easy to make.
Basil-Spinach Pesto Pasta
Pesto sauce Ingredients..
Basil- 1 bowl
Spinach- 1 bowl
Pecans/ walnuts-1/4th cup
Olive oil/any cooking oil-1/2 cup
Lemon juice- 1/2 of lemon
Garlic – 3-4 pods
Parmesan cheese- 1 cup( you can use any other cheese or completely avoid it too)
Salt – tp taste
Preparation..
~ To prepare pesto sauce, add all the ingredients mentioned above into a food processor or mixer and pulse it together. Make a fine paste. Your fresh pesto sauce is ready.
Pasta..
Ingredients Pasta= of your choice( I used cavatappi) 250 gems
Tomato= 1 medium, chopped
Onion= 1 medium, finely chopped
Colored bell peppers = 1 bowl, cubed
Mushrooms= 1 bowl, sliced
Celery= 1/2 bowl, chopped
Corn = 2tbsp ( I used frozen)
Olives = 8-10, sliced
Oregano = 1 tbsp
chilly flakes= 1tbsp
Olive oil= 3 tbsp
Parmesan cheese= 2-3 tbsp
Salt = to taste
Black pepper= 1tsp, crushed
Water= 1/4th cup
Preparation ~Boil pasta as per instructions on packet, drain and keep it ready
~In a pan / kadhai heat oil, once its hot add onions and sauté well
~Add tomatoes, once they are soft add all other vegetables
~Give a nice stir and put salt, cover for 30 seconds
~Now add seasoning (oregano & chilly flakes)
~Add freshly made pesto sauce as per your taste( I used almost 3/4 of it)
~Add water, gradually to make sauce little watery.
~Give a gentle stir as veggies are tender
~Now add boiled pasta & mix everything well
~Add olives & cheese on top, add crushed black pepper
~Cover the pan for a minute, so that flavors get absorbed nicely
~Switch off the flame.
~Your pasta is ready to serve.
Tips ~You can use any variety of pasta. Boil it for 7-8 minutes, strain with cold water, so it won’t stick.
~You can use any nuts you wish to. If you’re allergic to nuts, skip it.
~No Parmesan cheese, no problem, use any other cheese
~Add or subtract any veggies as per availability
~You can even add cooked boneless chicken or sautéed shrimps/prawns
Nutritional Facts
~Spinach is good source of Iron, Vitamin A & folic Acid
~Basil has Vitamin K and Omega3 fatty acids
~Mushrooms are only plant which gives Vitamin D
~Nuts are good source of protein
~Olives are best for our eyes, nails & hair as it contains Vitamin E