Penne With Creamy Walnut Sauce Recipes

Steps:

• Bring a large covered pot of water to a rapid boil.
• While the water heats, wash the spinach and transfer it to a separate large pot.
• The water clinging to the leaves should provide enough moisture to steam it.
• Cover and cook the spinach on medium-high heat for about 4 minutes, until wilted but still bright green.
• Drain.
• In a food processor or blender, combine the spinach, walnuts, cottage cheese, garlic, Parmesan, basil, and salt and puree until smooth, working in batches if necessary.
• Add pepper to taste and set aside.
• When the water boils, stir in the pasta, cover, and return to a boil.
• Then uncover the pot and cook until the pasta is al dente, about 7 minutes.
• While the pasta cooks, cut the broccoli into spears, blanch it in boiling water to cover until just tender, about 5 minutes, and set it aside.
• Drain the pasta and serve immediately in individual warmed bowls, topped with spinach-walnut sauce and several steamed broccoli spears.
• Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese, if you wish.
• Enjoy!

Steps:

• In a skillet set over moderately low heat melt butter, add leek, chard stems, and salt and pepper to taste. Cut a round piece of waxed paper to fit the size of your skillet and place it over the vegetables. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for 5 minutes. Remove the cover and waxed paper. Now add the chard leaves, garlic, red pepper flakes, and broth and simmer the mixture stirring occasionally, uncovered for 5 minutes more. Increase the heat to high and reduce liquid until almost evaporated. Add the cream and walnut oil and simmer sauce over moderately high heat, stirring, until lightly thickened. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer cooked pasta to a large bowl. Add the sauce, toasted walnuts and toss to combine. Transfer pasta to serving plates and sprinkle with tarragon or parsley. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Steps:

• Prepare pasta according to box directions.
• While pasta is cooking, wash asparagus, break off the woody stems and arrange on a cookie sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and salt and pepper. Broil for 5-10 minutes until the asparagus is tender (to your personal taste). Once cooked, chop asparagus roughly and toss it with drained pasta in a large serving bowl.
• Melt butter in a sauce pan and add garlic, sauteing until it is turning golden and fragrant. Remove from heat.
• Whisk in wheat flour to form a roux, being careful to avoid any lumps. When it is perfectly smooth, add white wine, whisking to incorporate.
• Return saute pan to the heat, allow alcohol to evaporate (should take about 30 seconds) and immediately whisk in heavy cream.
• Continuing to whisk, add shredded Gouda and stir gently until it melts. Once melted, add remaining ingredients and bring to temp., or just until the sauce begins to bubble.
• Pour sauce over pasta and asparagus. Toss and garnish with toasted walnuts, if desired.