Papa's Pepper Pesto Pasta
(Courtesy of Spencer from @spencerthecook from Instagram ... )
Just in time for St. Patrick's day it's here, Papa's Pepper Pesto Pasta! This pasta is not only visually spectacular it's going to make your taste buds dance! It has the flavor and texture that's certain to please even the toughest critics!
1C Fresh basil
4C Fresh spinach
4 Cloves garlic
1/2 Onion, roughly chopped
1/2C Freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/2C Asiago cheese
4oz. Cream cheese, softened
1C Sunflower kernels, toasted
1/4C Fresh lemon juice
3T Olive oil
2C Reserved pasta water
16oz. Bowtie pasta, cooked
2T Kosher salt
2t Papa's Pepper premium spice blend
Cherry tomatoes or large diced Roma tomatoes for garnish
1. Cook pasta in heavily salted water according to package instructions.
2. Add Basil, spinach, garlic, onion, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, olive oil, Kosher salt and Papa's Pepper to food processor and pulse until finely cut, but not into a paste. Add sunflower kernels and pulse two more times.
3. Spoon all of basil spinach mixture into large mixing bowl along with cream cheese and Asiago cheese.
4. Add freshly cooked hot pasta to basil/spinach mixture along with one cup of reserved pasta water and mix. Add more pasta water as needed to achieve a rich creamy sauce as you mix the pasta.
Garnish with more toasted sunflower kernels and tomatoes, serve hot.
Cooks note:
Regular hot water will not have the same effect. It's the starch in the pasta water that makes the wonderful creamy sauce. For best results reserve the pasta water when the pasta is al dente and finished cooking.