Mrs. Burns Lemon Basil Pesto Pasta
Elevate your pasta game with the vibrant flavor of hydroponically grown Mrs. Burns Lemon Basil. This unique basil variety infuses a delightful lemony essence into a classic pesto sauce that pairs perfectly with your favorite pasta.
Ingredients:
For the Pesto:
- Hydroponically Grown Mrs. Burns Lemon Basil: 2 cups, loosely packed
- Garlic: 2 cloves, peeled
- Pine Nuts: 1/4 cup, toasted
- Parmesan Cheese: 1/2 cup, grated
- Lemon Juice: From 1 lemon
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: 1/2 cup
- Salt: To taste
- Black Pepper: To taste
For the Pasta:
- Pasta: 12 oz (your choice, such as spaghetti, linguine, or penne)
- Cherry Tomatoes: 1 cup, halved
- Parmesan Cheese: For garnish, grated
- Fresh Mrs. Burns Lemon Basil Leaves (Read about it’s flavor profile here): For garnish
Instructions:
For the Pesto:
- Toast the Pine Nuts: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the pine nuts until they turn golden brown and aromatic. Remove from heat and let them cool.
- Blend Pesto Ingredients: In a food processor, combine the hydroponically grown Mrs. Burns Lemon Basil, toasted pine nuts, peeled garlic cloves, grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Pulse until coarsely chopped.
- Stream in Olive Oil: With the food processor running, gradually stream in the extra virgin olive oil until the pesto reaches your desired consistency. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is well combined.
For the Pasta:
- Cook the Pasta: Cook your chosen pasta according to package instructions until it’s al dente. Drain, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water.
- Combine Pasta and Pesto: In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooked pasta with the Mrs. Burns Lemon Basil pesto. If the pesto seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water to reach your preferred sauce consistency.
- Add Cherry Tomatoes: Gently fold in the halved cherry tomatoes for a burst of freshness and color.
- Serve: Divide the pasta into bowls, garnish with grated Parmesan cheese, and a few fresh Mrs. Burns Lemon Basil leaves for an extra zesty touch.
Tip: If you like your pesto a bit spicier, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a small fresh chili when blending the pesto. The citrusy notes of Mrs. Burns Lemon Basil make it a versatile choice for various dishes, not just pesto!
