Trenette Al Pesto
Serving Size: 4 people
DESCRIPTION
Trenette al pesto is Disney-inspired pasta dish. A healthy kid-friendly meal packed with flavorful, nutritious, and simple ingredients. It's rich, creamy, vibrant, and herbaceous. Perfect for any day of the week, whether it’s a family dinner, date night, or late-night craving moment.
INGREDIENTS
Pesto Sauce
- 113 grams basil leaves fresh
- 170 grams string beans
- 1 whole gold potato
- ¼ cup olive oil or aquafaba (chickpea brine)
- ⅓ cup pine nuts toasted
- ⅓ cup nutritional yeast
- 8 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Other
- 454 grams ribbon pasta - 454 grams = 1 package (typically) or linguine pasta
METHOD
- Roughly chop potato and place it into a large pot of boiling water along with the string beans. Cook for about 7-8 minutes till potatoes are tender.
- Optional - Lightly toast pine nuts on low to medium heat for 1-2 minutes. Be careful not to let them burn.
- Once the potatoes and string beans cook through, then place them in a blender along with the rest of the ingredients listed for pesto sauce. Blend till all combined. Add ¼ cup water to move the blending along, if need be.Note: You can use a food processor instead of a blender.
- Cook pasta per package instructions and save ½ cup pasta water before draining.
- Combine pesto sauce and pasta water in the pot at low heat. Then add pasta to the pesto sauce and toss together.
- Serve hot. Optional to drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil, or garnish with vegan parmesan cheese, sea salt and crushed black peppercorn.
NOTES
- Use fresh basil: Source the freshest basil available to you for the most vibrant taste. You can even try growing your own!
- Toast the nuts: Although optional, I recommend toasting the pine nuts for a deeper, nuttier, and more complex pesto flavor.
- Quality olive oil: Use high-quality extra-virgin olive oil for a rich flavor.
- Cook until al dente: Start checking on the pasta 2-3 minutes before the listed time on the package. You’ll know it’s al dente when there is a small white speck left in the center.
- Save the pasta water: The reserved pasta water not only loosens up the pesto, but it also adds flavor and helps the sauce stick to the pasta.
NUTRITION
Calories: 240kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Sodium: 881mg | Potassium: 352mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1862IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 2mg
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