Best Salmon Penne With Basil Pesto Cream Sauce Artichokes And Asparagus Recipes

PENNE WITH SALMON AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• In a large saucepot, cook pasta as label directs and then drain.
• Meanwhile, in a 12-inch skillet, heat 2 teaspoons of oil over medium-high heat.
• Add asparagus, salt and pepper and cook until asparagus is almost tender-crisp, about 5 minutes.
• Add shallot and remaining 1 teaspoon oil; cook, stirring constantly, two minutes longer.
• Add wine; heat to boiling over high heat.
• Stir in broth and heat to boiling.
• Arrange salmon slices in skillet; cover and cook until just opaque throughout, 2- 3 minutes.
• Remove skillet from heat and stir in tarragon.
• In a warmed serving bowl, toss pasta with asparagus mixture.

SALMON OR SHRIMP AND PESTO WITH PENNE

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.

PENNE WITH PESTO

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

SMOKED SALMON PENNE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water on to boil. Season it liberally with salt. When it boils, add your choice of pasta. Cook to el dente, until the pasta is cooked through but still pleasantly chewy.
• Scoop out 1 cup or so of the starchy cooking water. Drain the pasta but not quite all the way. Leave it a bit wet. Put the pasta back into the pot along with a splash or two of the reserved water, about 1/2 cup or so in total then immediately add the rest of the ingredients.
• While the pasta is till steaming hot toss well melting the cheese and forming the creamy sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

PENNE WITH BLUE CHEESE, PESTO, WALNUTS, AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add salt and stir in the penne. Reduce to medium-high and cook penne, uncovered, until al dente, 6-7 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet and bake in preheated 350-degree o ven until lightly toasted, 4-5 minutes.
• Place pesto and blue c heese in a large serving bowl and using a fork, mash the blue cheese into the pesto.
• Rinse asparagus spears and snap off and discard their tough ends. Break spears into 1 1/2-inch long pieces.
• During the last 3 minutes of the penne cooking time, add asparagus to pot and cook until bright green and crisp-tender. Drain penne and asparagus well in colander. Add to the bowl with the pesto and stir to coat them well. Top with toasted walnuts and serve at once.

PENNE WITH CHICKEN, ARTICHOKES, AND PESTO CREAM

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 3-5 minutes, until golden all over. Add artichokes, tomatoes, cream, and pesto. Bring to a simmer and stir frequently for 3 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
• Fold in the cooked pasta and parmesan cheese. Cook 1 minute longer to heat through. Add more cream if neneed to thin out sauce. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.

RIGATONI WITH SAUSAGE, ARTICHOKES, AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Heat the oil that was reserved from the sun-dried tomatoes in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add sausage and cook until browned; break up the meat as it cooks.
• When brown and cooked all over, transfer sausage to a bowl with a slotted spoon.
• Add artichokes, asparagus, and garlic to the skillet and saute over medium heat, until garlic is tender, about 2 minutes.
• Add the broth, wine, and sun-dried tomatoes. Boil over medium-high heat until sauce is slightly reduced, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil.
• Salt water and cook pasta according to package directions.
• Drain pasta.
• Add pasta, reserved sausage, 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, basil, and parsley to the artichoke mixture.
• Toss everything together until sauce is nearly absorbed by the pasta.
• Stir in mozzarella cheese, if using.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve with extra cheese to pass at table.