Garlicky Pesto Salmon With Penne Recipes

Steps:

• Meanwhile, pluck the basil leaves from the stems (you should have about 2 cups leaves). Wash the leaves in a large bowl of cold water and dry in a salad spinner or pat dry with paper towels. Smash and peel the garlic.
• Put the basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. With the processor running, gradually add the olive oil and process until the pesto is smooth. Transfer the pesto to a large bowl and stir in the cheese. Season with the salt and some pepper.
• Bring a large pot of cold water to a boil over high heat and salt it generously. Add the penne and boil, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain in a colander and save about 1/4 cup pasta cooking water. Add the pasta to the bowl. Use tongs and toss with enough of the cooking water so the pesto coats the pasta evenly. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.
• Upgrades: a. Make the pesto creamy by adding 1/4 cup ricotta cheese when processing the basil, garlic, and pine nuts. This is great with tortellini or ravioli. b. Top dressed pesto pasta with 1/2 pound diced large or halved small fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), 3 medium tomatoes cut in large chunks, and 1/2 cup pitted black olives, (we like kalamata for this), roughly chopped. c. Add cooked 1 to 2 cups chicken or shrimp.
• Twists on Pesto: In place of basil, try the following combination: 1 cup parsley, 1 cup fresh spinach leaves, 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves, 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves. Substitute walnuts for the pine nuts

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut the salmon into 1 inch cubes and place in a buttered baking dish. Add the lemon juice to the melted butter and drizzle over the salmon. Season the salmon with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Bake for 15 minutes or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork. Do not let the salmon overcook. Remove immediately from the oven and keep warm.
• While the salmon is cooking, add the pasta to a large pot of salted boiling water. Cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Cut the asparagus into 1 inch pieces. Add the asparagus to the boiling water during the last three to five minutes of cooking. Drain and put in a large serving bowl.
• While the salmon and pasta are cooking, combine the butter, cream cheese, parmesan cheese, and half-and-half in a saucepan. Season with garlic salt. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened. Remove from the heat. Add the pesto at this point. Go light with the pesto to ensure the sauce is lightly flavored.
• Mix the artichoke hearts with the asparagus and penne pasta and pour the sauce over the pasta mixture. Mix lightly to coat everything. Add the salmon cubes to the top of the pasta. If desired, serve with extra parmesan cheese and freshly cracked black pepper.

Steps:

• Cook pasta in a pot of salted boiling water 1 minute less than per package directions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water; drain. In a large straight-sided skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter.
• Add garlic and red-pepper flakes; cook 30 seconds. Add tomatoes and wine; bring to a boil. Cook until tomatoes burst and liquid is slightly reduced, 6 to 7 minutes. Season fish with salt and pepper; nestle into skillet. Cover, reduce heat to medium, and cook until just opaque, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer fish to a plate.
• Add pasta, cheese, and remaining 1 tablespoon butter to skillet with tomatoes; stir over low heat, adding reserved pasta water as needed to create a sauce. Season to taste. Serve with fish, parsley, and more red-pepper flakes.

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet and add the olive oil.
• Saute the onion until translucent.
• Add the garlic, and stir, saute about 2-3 more minutes.
• Then add the stock, and wine and slowly simmer until reduced by half.
• Taste and season with pepper then add the pesto, lemon juice and zest, the olives and capers and stir well.
• Remove from the heat and toss in the salmon or shrimp, the parsley and toss with the pasta.
• Serve in large pasta bowls.