Pesto Pasta

Pesto pasta is simple and delicious. When I sit down to a plateful, I am reminded of its pleasant green color, nutrient-rich ingredients, and savory taste, I know that I’ve made an excellent dinner decision. All of the ingredients for this dish can be found at Trader Joe’s; the 2.5 oz. packages of basil in their herb section are the perfect amount for this recipe. If you can’t find toasted pine nuts at the store, you can toast your own raw pine nuts in a frying pan with a pinch of salt. They are done when they turn light brown.

Adapted from a recipe by Tamra Davis.

Ingredients
1 16-ounce package of spaghetti
1 cup toasted pine nuts
3 cloves garlic
2 cups basil leaves (washed, packed somewhat tightly)
½ cup grated parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
½ cup olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
¼ cup water
salt and pepper

Directions
1. Put pasta in pot of boiling, salted water.
2. While pasta is cooking, blend pine nuts, garlic, basil, parmesan, and olive oil in blender until smooth.
3. Add water, lemon juice, and plenty of salt and pepper to taste to the pesto. Blend again.
4. One minute before pasta is done, heat pesto in a pan.
5. Drain pasta and mix with warm pesto.
6. Serve topped with parmesan.

Serves: 4
Time: 30 minutes