Basil Pesto
Makes about 1 1/4 cups.
4 cups packed fresh basil leaves . washed well
1/2 cup pine nuts . toated until golden . cooled and chopped fine
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan (about 1 1/2 ounces)
2 large garlic cloves . minced
1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Have ready a bowl of ice and cold water. In a saucepan of boiling salted water blanch basil, a handful at a time, 2 seconds, transferring with a slotted spoon to bowl of ic water to stop cooking. Drain basil in a sieve and pat dry.
In a food processor puree basil with remaining ingredients until smooth and season with salt and pepper. Pesto may be made 2 days ahead and chilled, its surface covered with plastic wrap.
Labels: pasta, vegetarian
Linguine and Clams
Makes 4 servings.
16 ounces linguine
4 tablespoons olive oil
4 garlic cloves . chopped
4 6.5 oz cans chopped clams in juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
12 small clams like manila or tiny littleneck . scrubbed
1/2 cup whipping cream
Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain pasta. Meanwhile, heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add canned clams with juice, basil, tarragon, and parsley. Add fresh clams. cover; reduce heat to medium and cook until clams open, about 6 minutes. Larger clams may take a minute or two longer to cook. Using tongs, transfer fresh clams to plate (discard any clams that do not open). Add cooked pasta and cream to sauce in skillet. Toss over medium-high heat until sauce coats pasta, about 1 minute. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Divide pasta between bowls. top with fresh clams and serve.
Bon Appetit . February 2005
Labels: pasta, seafood
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