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Roger Mooking Recipe: Pistachio Pesto with Angel Hair Pasta

Who doesn’t love pasta? Here’s a recipe the whole family can enjoy!

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS:

For the pasta:

  • 1 package of angel hair pasta
  • ½ cup Pistachio Pesto (recipe follows)
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • For garnish: 1 cup Parmesan ribbons (your favorite Parmesan cheese, shaved with a vegetable peeler); 1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half; ¼ cup fresh basil leaves

For the pistachio pesto:

  • 8 cups fresh basil leaves, washed and dried
  • 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ¾ cup unsalted pistachios, toasted and crushed in a mortar and pestle
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS:

1. Prepare the pasta according to package directions. Set aside ½ cup pasta water.

2. To make the pistachio pesto, in batches, place the basil leaves, oil, pistachios, Parmesan and garlic in a blender and puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. You can make this ahead of time and place the Pistachio Pesto in a container. Cover the top with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil.

2. Heat a large sauté pan. Place the Pistachio Pesto, ¼ cup reserved pasta water (more if needed) and olive oil in the pan. Toss to incorporate.

4. Add the cooked pasta to the pan, and gently fold into the Pistachio Pesto mixture. Then, season with salt and pepper to taste, and divide the pasta among serving plates. Garnish with the Parmesan ribbons, cherry tomatoes, basil leaves and sprinkle with pepper.

5. Enjoy!


Man Fire Food Roger MookingRoger Mooking is the host of the Cooking Channel’s popular Man Fire Food as well as the host and co-creator of Everyday Exotic. According to his own biography, Roger Mooking loves “family, vegetables, serving delicious food, and making people smile.” Chef, TV host, and musician, Mooking is dedicated to creating delicious, nutritious food for the whole family. Want to find out more? Read more about Mooking, including his blog, at rogermooking.com.

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