Pasta with Spinach Pesto - Spinach Walnut Pesto Sauce

Finally i found some way to make my little one intake some green leaves. She call it as green pasta. Nowadays i am interested in trying out different pasta recipes and using various type of pasta's.  I saw this recipe in a cooking channel long back, and happened to note it down.  As most of the Italian recipes call for pine nuts i substituted it with walnuts. They were creamy and such ineluctable when had hot, that both my hub and mithu had it with great gusto! Sure to be loved by kids.

Mithu's school is re-opened after a short annual vacation and her Grade II classes are going on and she is getting adapted to the usual routine. Summer will be peak by the month of July and August and schools will have their long summer vacation during those months. Not only my little one is excited about coming vacation even me too....can't wait to watch my parents and all there. Ok now onto the recipe...

Pasta with Spinach Walnut Pesto - Ingredients:
Preparation time: 15 mins | Cooking time: 20 mins | Recipe cuisine: Italian | Category: Main dish 

For the Pasta:
Fusilli pasta - 2 cups  ( can use any pasta.)
Onion  - 1 finely chopped
Carrot  - 1 medium  ( finely chopped)
Garlic - 3 cloves chopped
Mixed herbs - 1 tsp (oregano, parsley,dried basil)
Parmesan cheese - 2 tbsp
Pepper - 1 tsp
Salt to taste
Olive oil - 3 tbsp

For Pesto sauce:
Spinach - 1 bunch
Garlic - 6 cloves
Walnuts - 5
Almonds - 5
Parmesan cheese - 2 tbsp (optional)
Lemon juice  - 1 tsp
Mixed herbs  - 1 tsp
Pepper - 1 tsp
Olive oil - 3 tbsp
Salt to taste

For White Sauce:
Butter/Oil  -  1 tbsp
Flour (maida)  - 1 tbsp
Milk -  1/2 cup
Pepper  - 1/2 tsp
Salt as needed

Method:
1. Cook the pasta with enough water with 1 tsp of oil and salt until soft. Drain it and keep aside.

 To prepare the Spinach pesto:
1. Blanch the spinach in hot water and run under cold water. Strain and keep it.

 

2. Blend all other  ingredients (garlic,walnuts,almonds,parmesan cheese, lemon juice, herbs, pepper,salt and oil )along with spinach to coarse paste.

 



To prepare White Sauce:
1. Heat oil/butter in a pan. Once melted add the flour and saute for a min.

 

2. Gradually add the milk stirring continuously. Add salt and pepper.

 

3. Once it reaches a medium thick consistency switch off. White sauce is ready.

To prepare the Pasta:
1. Heat olive oil and saute onions and garlic. Add the carrots and saute for min or two.  Now add the prepared pesto and white sauce.

 

2. Add required 1/2 cup water and bring it to a medium sauce consistency. Add the cooked pasta, cook it until it is coated well with sauce.

 

3. Throw in the herbs, pepper, salt and mix well. Finally garnish with parsley and parmesan cheese.

 


Rich,creamy and delicious pasta is ready..serve hot.

Note:

• Blending white sauce with pesto sauce gives a nice color and creamy texture to the dish.
• Instead of walnuts you can also use almonds or roasted peanuts. It adds additional taste.
• Parmesan cheese is optional. Even without cheese it tastes good.
• You can more vegetables like mushroom or broccoli. Chop it finely and add.