SECRET RECIPE CLUB: PENNE WITH TRAPANESE PESTO

Posted in Pasta & Noodles, Secret Recipe Club, Vegetarian-friendly by sallybr

Not sure how we made it so fast to the end of May, but here we are! And the last Monday of the month brings with it the Reveal Day for The Secret Recipe Club. Bloggers are paired in secret, stalk each other’s site for a nice recipe, and blog about it on the same day. This month I was paired with Erin, from The Spiffy Cookie. She is a graduate student working on her PhD in Microbiology and that immediately puts us both in a similar page. Granted, I probably had my PhD before she was born, but still… I know what it takes and how frustrating it can be to get there. As I always say to the students in the lab, “science is not for sissies“. But, I digress. I spent quite a bit of time on her site, tempted by many of her recipes. A few examples for you: Chicken Burgers with Garlic & Rosemary Yogurt, Apple Oatmeal Breakfast Muffins, Nutella Mousse (that almost made my final cut), and Nutella-Swirled Banana Bread Snack Cake (do I need to say anything more?). But, in the end, my heart was set on Penne with Trapanese Pesto, because it seemed like the type of recipe Phil and I would love. Plus, the almonds in the sauce take me to a Persian aura that is quite welcome in our kitchen these days. So, without further ado, my contribution to the SRC this month…

(photo kindly optimized by an angel called Sawsan…)

PENNE WITH TRAPANESE PESTO
(slightly adapted from The Spiffy Cookie)

2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes
1/3 cup almonds, lightly toasted
1 clove garlic
12 basil leaves
1-2 anchovies filets (or to taste)
2 tsp capers
1 pinch crushed red pepper
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound whole wheat penne pasta
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

In a food processor, combine the tomatoes, almonds, garlic, basil, anchovies, capers, crushed red pepper, cheese, and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Pulse a few times to get it going. With the motor running, add the oil in a thin stream. Taste it. Add a little more salt if needed.

Meanwhile, cook your pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Drain and return to pot. Pour the pesto over the pasta and toss to combine. Store whatever is left in a sealed container in the fridge for a week. Serve with more cheese and basil.

ENJOY!

to print the recipe, click here

Comments: I made two small modifications in the recipe, adding capers and anchovies to the pesto. Now, for those who personally know me, it will be shocking to learn I added anchovies were anchovies were not called for. Yes, indeed, I don’t like anchovies, but have been working on improving our relationship. For one of those virtual coincidences, a food blog I recently fell in love with (Chef Mimi Blog) had a post on Trapanese Pesto, and she added anchovies. Being a certified anchovy-wimp, I added only 1 small filet, carrying it with the tip of the fork, arm extended as far as I could to avoid its pungent aroma… 🙂 Capers seemed like a natural partner for all other ingredients, so into the pesto they went.

This was a delicious meal! For my taste, Trapanese pesto beats the Genovese by a long shot. Less oily, less pungent. The recipe made more sauce than needed for our pasta dinner, leftovers will keep in the fridge for a few days.

Erin, it was great to stalk your blog for recipes and get to know your site better (although I’ve visited your blog many times before) through this month’s adventure with SRC. For those who want to see the full collection of recipes posted by members of our group, click on the funky frog and have fun!

ONE YEAR AGO: Superman

TWO YEARS AGO: Spring Pasta

THREE YEARS AGO: Ice Cream Melts for Mango

7Feb2012

MISO IT UP

Posted in Vegetarian-friendly, Veggies by sallybr

Green beans show up at our dinner table once a week, most of the time in a quick preparation with slivered, toasted almonds. It’s nice to have some recipes that you can almost pull on your sleep. This version from Bon Appetit is almost as simple, but feels a lot more special because it uses miso. I suppose it’s the funk factor, that umami component that adds extra flavor. Try this recipe, even if you don’t normally use this Japanese gem in your cooking. You’ll love it, I am sure.

GREEN BEANS WITH MISO AND ALMONDS
(adapted from Bon Appetit)

2 + 1/2 pounds green beans
salt
1/4 cup white miso (may use less if you are a miso newbie)
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons mustard
2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted

Cut green beans in pieces 1 to 1.5 inches long. Cook them in a large pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender (less than 5 minutes). Transfer to a large bowl of ice water to cool. Drain well.

Whisk miso, vinegar, mustard, oil, and sugar in a small bowl. Season with salt, but very lightly because miso is already salty. Place green beans in a large bowl. Pour dressing over; toss to coat. Garnish with almonds.

ENJOY!

to print the recipe, click here

I always have miso in the fridge. It keeps for a long time, and shows up more and more in recipes everywhere. I often add it to sauteed mushrooms, but green beans match equally well with the sweet-saltiness of miso. Yin and Yang. Gotta love it!

This dish is a great side for chicken, salmon, steak, or pork. And leftovers are excellent even at room temperature.

ONE YEAR AGO: Ziti with Fresh Artichokes and Meyer Lemon Sauce

TWO YEARS AGO: Chicken Soup on a Chilly Evening

12Sep2011

POST-WORKOUT BREAKFAST

Posted in Breakfast & Brunch, Vegetarian-friendly by sallybr

Exercising on weekdays is a bit tricky. I find myself cutting some routines a little short, rushing to eat something quickly, take a shower and go to work. But Saturdays and Sundays are another story: I can indulge, start with a nice run, top it with some weight training, do the full 90-minute P90X yoga. Once it’s all over, I relax and enjoy a nice breakfast. Lately, I’ve been hooked on this yogurt concoction because it is refreshing, not too heavy, a well-deserved reward after working out.

GREEN APPLE & YOGURT BOWL
(from the Bewitching Kitchen)

1 cup non-fat yogurt
1/2 large Granny Smith apple, grated
sliced almonds
agave nectar

Toast the sliced almonds lightly, either in an oven or a non-stick skillet. Watch them very carefully, as they go from toasted to burned in seconds. Let them cool slightly.

In a bowl, mix the grated apple (no need to peel) with the yogurt, add some agave nectar to your taste. Sprinkle the almonds on top, a little extra drizzle of agave, and…

ENJOY!

to print the recipe, click here

I wish I could give credit to the source for this “recipe” – so simple that it hardly qualifies as such. I saw a version in the net several months ago, never saved it, just kept it in my memory as something to try. Maybe the original had honey and a different kind of nuts, but at any rate, start with the green apple and yogurt, add whatever you feel like, including your favorite cereal, and you can’t go wrong.

I use non-fat yogurt to keep the fat content to a minimum, but you can definitely go for the full fat type, it will be just a tad more decadent, but still good for you.

ONE YEAR AGO: Spices… Did someone say spices?

TWO YEARS AGO: The lighter side of meatloaf