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Basil Pesto Pasta

This weeks recipe is a classic and simple basil pesto. 

 I chose this meal as it's easy and filling and can be prepared in less than 15 minutes. The Best part of it is that it only requires 5 ingredients (without the pasta). This herby Italian-style sauce is great stirred through pasta for a quick meal, and the cost for 4 portions is only £6, excluding cupboard essentials.  This sauce can be preserved for up to 5 days, if it is kept in an airtight container in the fridge, and can be consumed both warm and cold, so it is perfect for a quick lunch, or a fancy dinner, with a side of garlic bread or focaccia. 


 





Ingredients:

  • 3 cups of fresh basil (£1.25) 
  • 5 garlic cloves (chopped) (25p)
  • 1/4 cup of pine nuts  (£1.80) ( a substitute for pine nuts could be  walnuts, pecans or almonds)
  • 3/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese (£2.20)
  • 1/2 cup of olive oil
  •  Pasta (50p) 


Method :
 
Preheat oven to 180 degrees. 

Step 1. Toast the pine nuts for around 5 minutes on a baking sheet, tossing halfway through until golden brown.
Step 2.  Boil water and add your choice of pasta. (Add a stock of choice for extra taste, personally I use chicken stock)
Step 3.  Once the pine nuts cool down, transfer them into a food processor and add the cheese, basil, garlic and olive oil and pulse until you have a smooth paste.
Step 4. Add the pesto sauce to the pasta and garnish with parmesan cheese and pine nuts. 


Enjoy!
And please feel free to leave a comment about your experience with this recipe!




Another pesto recipe will be coming out in the next few weeks for those that don't like basil pesto, so keep your eyes peeled!!

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