19 February 2008

Broccoli Pesto Pasta by any Other Name.....


The very talented Ruth over at Once Upon a Feast was one of the first bloggers I ever came across while surfing the net in years gone by...even before I even knew what a blog was. I "googled" a pasta dish of hers and bookmarked it here . The Herbed Three Cheese Penne has always been one of my favourite "go to" recipes to this day. Little did I know that a few years later I would be interested in having my own blog and love to participate in Ruth's invention Presto Pasta Nights. This event has been growing by leaps and bounds and always has a dedicated following. I don't prepare pasta as often as I would like to but this is my entry into this weeks event....a heart healthy and yet flavourful dish.

I have had a few weeks off of work , so, that means more time in the kitchen. That doesn't mean that I want to be a slave to the kitchen... so I opted for this quick and easy recipe today for lunch. I am off to join a friend and head for a walk to enjoy the sunshine!! This pesto is a delicious rendition of pesto to make this time of the year when broccoli is readily available and basil is not. Serve it over your favourite hot pasta...or perhaps make a pesto pasta salad... next time!!

Buoni amici di salute!!!!!


**Broccoli Pesto Pasta**

2 cups fresh broccoli florets
1/2 cup fresh Italian parsley or perhaps cilantro
1 - 2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup pine nuts or walnuts(toasted)
1/4 cup shredded fresh Parmigiano Reggiano cheese ( I know I use more...just eyeball it)
1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese ( I use more here too :D)
2-4 T extra virgin olive oil
sprinkle of red pepper flakes
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Fill a medium saucepan three-quarters of the way full with water. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Add the broccoli and cook for 3 minutes or just until slightly tender, but still with a bit of snap. Drain and immediately immerse the broccoli in ice cold water to retain the bright green color. Drain again, and transfer the broccoli to the work bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade.

Add parsley, garlic, pine nuts, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and ricotta cheese. Pulse 6-8 times, until the mixture forms a chunky paste. Do not puree! Pulse again, drizzling in a few tablespoons of olive oil at a time. When the mixture reaches the desired consistency, stop and serve immediately, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Serve with pasta of your choice!!


NOTE: You may not need to use all of the olive oil in this pesto recipe.

Makes about 2 cups of pesto.

Per 1/4 cup serving: 97 calories, 9 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 3 mg cholesterol, 55 mg sodium, 2 g carbohydrate, 0 g fiber, 3 g protein, 18% vitamin A, 37% vitamin C, 6% calcium, 4% iron
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29 comments:

  1. I am SO excited about fixing this recipe... I'm printing it out now - I love the concept of broccoli pesto! Pure genius!

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  2. Looks very good! I made a pesto pasta for my contribution to the roundup too!

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  3. This sounds so delicious and different!!

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  4. Hi Val, this is a great twist to the usual basil pesto, and it sounds healthier too (with the reduced oil option).

    I hope that you enjoyed your walk in the sun! :-)

    Nora

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  5. Mmm, great quick pasta idea - thanks!

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  6. You won me over with that beautiful picture!! I'm already a big fan of broccoli and pasta of any kind, as I make it quite a bit. Never tried the concept of a broccoli pesto though. But absolutely know I would love it!

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  7. Val, I can plainly see that your food is much better with the extra time on your hands at the moment.

    Simple recipe, tasteful ingredients, immaculate presentation.

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  8. That looks so good. I love different pestos. And pasta. And cheese. Mmm, cheese...

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  9. The broccoli pesto looks divine and very fresh Val. Beautifully presented too. (Spring is in the air!)

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  10. Great job Valli...I have been making so much basil pesto but this is a great rendition that I can't wait to try!!!

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  11. Sounds good, bellini valli :)

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  12. This is a tasty sounding dish! I too don't prepare pasta very often, meaning I don't get to participate in Ruth's Pasta night event as much as I would like to.

    Glad you are enjoying some sunshine. I only wish it would shine over Ontario! The temperature is to drop to minus 16 tonight. I'm soooo sick of Winter!

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  13. Why didn't I think of that? The asparagus pesto that I tried a couple of months ago was one of my favorites. Broccoli has been my go to green vegetable lately. I will have to try it as a pesto.

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  14. I'm glad to hear that you are having a rest. Nice ingredients used. I have bookmarked the pesto. Love all kinds of pasta dishes and have prepared a lot but haven't posted yet. I'll check if I have time to post one today.

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  15. Sounds like a wonderful dish, love the quick and easy recipes!

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  16. I love Pesto, usual Basil one but Broccoli pesto sounds delicious! Great entry Valli!:)

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  17. Ooo I'm always looking for new types of pesto recipes and I've never seen a broccoli one before! Looks delicious.

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  18. I never thought of broccoli pesto before--sounds interesting and looks tasty. Also, the plating/photo looks great.

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  19. Wow - what an unusual idea!
    Delicious!

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  20. Yum Valli, not only does this sound good but look at that presentation! How nice! I have been trying to eat more broccoli lately and now you have shown me a new way. Cannot wait to try it!
    Have fun on your walk. Is all the snow gone?

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  21. Wow!!! You're opening picture is stunning! So glad Pixie led us here or we would not have been able to find you! Your pesto pasta looks like a bowl of comfort!

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  22. Oh Val this looks and sounds a great dish. My mouth was watering just reading the ingredients and viewing your wonderful pic!! :D

    I have just posted the E for excellent award – sorry for not posting earlier sweetie but I haven’t been feeling on top form.

    Rosie x

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  23. There are other people out there that love broccoli:D When I saw this recipe I had to try it. Thank you for all your kind comments :D The spaghetti I used for the dish was as long as my arm!!!!

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  24. I can't resist the words "pesto" and "broccoli" on the same sentence. :)

    Yummy!

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  25. Looks yummy, healthy and quick... what else can I ask for?? :D

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  26. Great pasta and just yesterday I was wondering what kind of pesto I could make until basil shows it's glorious face around here. Thanks for sharing with Presto Pasta Nights.

    Just curious...which pasta dish did you bookmark ;-) ?

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  27. Ruth I have added a link to my very first blogging recipe Herbed Three Cheese Penne to the post so that everyone can find it :D
    http://onceuponafeast.blogspot.com/2005/06/herb-three-cheese-penne-ultimate-mac.html

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  28. This recipe sounds delicious. I'm going to try it this week.

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  29. I was browsing through your blog and I walked away for a second to finish up dinner. My daughter said..."mmm the picture on your blog looks good" I told her that wasn't my blog. LOL. Guess I'll be making brocolli pesto soon :) Beautiful picture!!

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Welcome to my home. Thank you for choosing to stay a while and for sharing our lives through food. I appreciate all your support, comments, suggestions, and daily encouragement.

Val

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