Pesto Pasta
Ingredients
pesto (or buy store bought):
1/4 cup pine nuts
2 cups (60g/2oz) fresh basil leaves, packed (Note 1)
1/2 cup (40g) parmesan, store bought shredded OR 3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 garlic clove
6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil , best quality
pasta noodles (ie. penne, spaghettini, angel's hair)
basil
parmesan
salt
Directions
Bring a large pot of water to the boil with the salt.
Add pasta and cook for the length of time per the packet.
Just before draining, scoop out 1 cup of of the pasta cooking water.
Drain pasta in a colander, leave it for a minute.
Transfer pasta to a bowl (do not use pasta cooking pot, too hot).
Add pesto and 1/4 cup of pasta water. Toss to coat pasta in pesto, adding more water if required to make pasta silky and saucy, rather than dry and sticky.
Taste, add more salt and pepper if desired.
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parmesan.