Pasta With Walnuts

FLKeysJen's Note:

From Mark Bittman's "Quick and Easy Recipes" from the New York Times. This is like a winter pesto, with a higher percentage of walnuts and parsley (always available) filling in for summer's basil. If you have basil though, by all means use it.

• Total Time: 20 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 1 lb linguine (or spaghetti or other long pasta)
• salt, to taste
• fresh ground pepper, to taste
• 1 cup walnut halves (or pecan halves)
• 1/2 cup loosely-packed fresh parsley (or basil leaves)
• 1 garlic clove, peeled
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it. Meanwhile, combine the nuts, parsley and garlic in a small food processor (or use a mortar and pestle) and turn the machine on. With the machine running, add the oil gradually, using just enough so that the mixture forms a creamy paste. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
2. Cook the pasta, stirring occasionally, until it is tender but not mushy. When it is ready, drain it--reserve some of the cooking water--and toss with the sauce; if the mixture appears too thick, thin with a little of the pasta-cooking water or more olive oil.
3. Serve!

Reviews

[Nif]

This pasta is so good!! The walnut pesto was so easy and has a terrific flavour. I used parsley but I can see that basil would be very good too. I made 1 serving of this and thoroughly enjoyed my lunch today. Made for my adopted chef for PAC 2011. Thanks FLKeysJen! :)

[Lainey6605]

This is very good! I have never had walnuts with pasta that I can remember. It really gives it a different but tasty flavor. I love that you can use parsley when basil is not available. I sprinkled some freshly shredded parmesan cheese on top when serving! Thanks for sharing. Made for Photo Tag.

[Sharon123]

This was really good! I used whole wheat angel hair pasta and added just a little butter at the end. Thanks Jen!