MEXICAN-STYLE PESTO WITH RICE OR WHOLE GRAIN PASTA

Mexican-Style Pesto With Rice or Whole Grain Pasta image

Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network

Time 35m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 22

About 1/3 cup Parmigiano and Herb-Fortified Stock, recipe follows
3 Fresno chile peppers
1/4 cup pistachio nuts or sliced almonds
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves or fresh flat-leaf parsley, packed
1 cup arugula or other spicy greens, packed
A couple sprigs fresh marjoram or oregano, leaves picked
2 cloves garlic, grated or finely chopped
1 teaspoon cumin, 1/3 palmful
Juice of 1 lime
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
About 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound rice flour, whole grain or whole wheat spaghetti
Grated Manchego cheese, for garnish
1 large rind trimmed from a hunk of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese or a few small pieces rind perhaps saved-up
Herb bundle of several sprigs each fresh thyme, parsley and rosemary, tied
1 onion, quartered
2 ribs celery, sliced on angle
2 carrots, sliced on angle
Peeled rind of 1 lemon
2 fresh bay leaves
4 cups chicken stock
12 cups (3 quarts) water

Steps:

Set aside or prepare the stock.
Char and blister the chile peppers by placing over a burner, an open flame or under a broiler, and turning until black. Place the charred peppers in a small bowl and cover until cool enough to handle. Peel and seed the peppers and add them to a food processor. Meanwhile, lightly toast nuts and add to the processor bowl. Add the cilantro, spicy greens, marjoram, garlic, cumin, lime juice, a splash of stock, salt, and pepper, then pour in about 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil and pulse the processor to form the pesto sauce. Place in a container, cover, and store in the refrigerator for a make-ahead meal.
To serve, place the pesto in the bottom of a large serving bowl. Heat a large pot of water to a boil for pasta, salt the water and cook pasta to al dente. Just before draining, add a ladle of starchy cooking water to the pesto, drain the pasta and add the hot pasta to the serving bowl and toss 1 to 2 minutes, serve immediately with grated Manchego on top.
Place the cheese rind, herb bundle, onion, celery, carrots, lemon rind, bay leaves, chicken stock, and water into a pot and bring to a bubble, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Simmer at least 1 hour, and then remove the rind, herb bundle, and vegetables with a slotted spoon or strainer.