Wednesday, June 12, 2019

BACON BASIL PESTO on PENNE with PEAS and HERBS


On one hand I apologize to Italian Culinaria (mi dispiace), but on the other hand I give a high five to my southern roots (Yeahhhh.)  I mean, it's bacon.  
Bacon Basil Pesto.

The Penne Pasta with Peas and Herbs is a great stand-alone and particularly good right out of the fridge.  It's also great tossed and heated in a little Arrabiata sauce.  However, it shines and gets eaten faster than I can dish it out when it's tossed in Bacon Basil Pesto.  So, you do you. Yawl.



Penne and Peas in Herbs Pasta

1 pkg dried Penne Pasta
1 pkg frozen spring green peas
2 tsps each of chopped: thyme, tarragon, mint and parsley
Olive oil
salt/pepper

1) Prepare Penne in lots of boiling water according to your package, but a few minutes before the penne is done add the frozen peas into the same water. 

2) Drain the pasta and peas and add to a large bowl with the chopped herbs.  Sprinkle in salt and pepper to taste.  Drizzle with Olive oil and toss together well.

Bacon Basil Pesto Sauce

4 slices of bacon
2 garlic cloves
1 cup Basil leaves
1/4 cup pine nuts
1 tsp. lime juice
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup grated parmigiano cheese
salt/pepper

1)  Cut the bacon into large pieces and add to a heated skillet (low/med) to render the fat and cook til the bacon is crisp.
2) Add the garlic cloves to the same skillet for the last couple minutes of cooking. The cloves will infuse the bacon fat and also get a bit caramelized.
3) Remove the skillet from the heat and take out the bacon pieces to save for later.  Carefully pour the fat and garlic cloves into a dish to cool for just a couple minutes.
4) To a blender, add the basil leaves, pine nuts, lime juice and pour in the reserved bacon fat and garlic bulbs. Blend slowly, then faster until the ingredients are a paste. 
5) Drizzle in the olive oil a little at a time while blending. Use enough olive oil to make a sauce consistency.  
6) Finally, add the cheese and pulse to combine. Scoop into a dish, season with salt and pepper to taste.


Add a large serving spoon size of pesto to the prepared pasta, toss and taste. Sprinkle the dish with crumbled bacon from the pieces you saved.


*Add more pesto as you like.

*You can also heat together in a skillet, just add a tiny bit of water or pasta water if it's too thick.
  
*Top with more grated cheese for serving.

Buon Appetito and Come and get it!

As always, thanks for being here.
Cathy~