Prospera Red Basil Pesto
Ingredients:
- 2 cups Prospera Red Basil (hydroponically grown)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- 1 lemon, zest and juice
- 1 pound your choice of pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or your preference)
Instructions:
- Ensure you have fresh Prospera Red Basil, which is hydroponically grown in your GrowBlock at home (Check out this key ingredient and 50+ others that you can grow in your GrowBlock at our Produce’d Plant Catalog)
- Toast the pine nuts: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the pine nuts evenly on a baking sheet and toast for about 5-7 minutes, or until they turn lightly golden. Keep an eye on them as they can burn quickly. Set aside to cool.
- Wash and dry the Prospera Red Basil leaves thoroughly.
- Place the Prospera Red Basil, grated Parmesan cheese, toasted pine nuts, and minced garlic in a food processor.
- Pulse the ingredients a few times until they are roughly chopped and well combined.
- With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil until the mixture becomes smooth and well blended.
- Season the pesto with salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting the amount to taste.
- Add the freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese and pulse briefly to combine.
- Finally, add the zest and juice of one lemon to the pesto, pulsing again to incorporate the flavors. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes.
- Drain the pasta, reserving a small cup of pasta cooking water.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooked pasta with the Prospera Red Basil Pesto. If the pesto is too thick, you can add a little pasta cooking water to achieve your desired consistency.
- Ensure the pasta is evenly coated with the pesto.
- Serve the Prospera Red Basil Pesto pasta hot, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and a few fresh Prospera Red Basil leaves for a vibrant touch.
Enjoy your delicious Prospera Red Basil Pesto pasta! The hydroponically grown Prospera Red Basil adds a unique and vibrant flavor to this classic dish.
