Green Pesto Pasta

This Pesto was adapted from Giada's spicy pesto recipe.... which is incredibly yummy. The original recipe calls for 1 jalapeno. I omitted the jalapeno and used half an avocado instead, I figured it would give it a nice creamy touch and besides I was cooking for my girls. Let's get started!

RECIPE:
1 lb Pasta (your choice)

1 cup baby spinach

1 cup arugula

1 cup raw walnuts

1/4 cup olive oil

1/2 avocado

2 garlic cloves

5-8 oz cheese (I used a parmesan, romano & asiago mix)

pinch of salt and pepper to taste

While the pasta cooks to perfection, blend the pesto ingredients together. If mixture is to thick, feel free to add a bit of pasta water, this will ease the blending process.

You pesto should look something like that!! Now taste to adjust the seasonings. Once pasta is cooked, place in a large bowl and incorporate pesto. Garnish with chopped walnuts and more cheese!! Easy right!

This is perfect on its own, or aside grilled chicken, fish or even a shredded rotisserie chicken.

ENJOY!!

Pesto Pasta Salad w/ Roasted Chicken

This pasta dish is great for large groups & parties. I made this more a special birthday party.. doubled the recipe. Tip: cook the pasta the night before & store in the refrigerator in a zip-lock bag. Assemble the day of. I believe this is Ina Garden's recipe (Barefoot Contessa) minus the roasted chicken part.. or maybe Giada's.. I forget! I first made this recipe for our Superbowl party earlier this year & everyone loved it. The roasted chicken really made it more filling.. use your favorite kind.

RECIPE:

1 Whole Roasted Chicken (store bought) shredded

1 lb. of Bow-tie pasta

1 small container of basil pesto

1/2 lb of Feta cheese (crumbled)

1 small container of Cherry Tomatoes (halved)

Oil Olive & Pepper

Thinly sliced red onion *optional

In a large pot bring water to boil & cook pasta accordingly..

Menawhile, shred the chicken & set aside.

Place cooked pasta in a large bowl to cool completely..

Once pasta is cool to the touch, pour in pesto & about 4 tbsp of Olive oil ... Mix well until fully incorporated. Add chicken & incorporate into the pasta & pesto.. stir around a bit.

 Slice tomatoes in half and add in, crumble feta over top & lightly incorporate or all the tomatoes will sink to the bottom. Add some fresh cracked pepper to the top & done! (If the pasta looks dry, add in more Olive oil... because it will dry out even more).

ENJOY!