| Prep: 10 mins | Cook: 15 mins | Difficulty: Easy | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 500 | 32g | 10g | 40g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 3g | 6g | 15g | 1.2g |
As a Miami inhabitant with a mix of Cuban and Spanish heritage, I’ve found that there’s something beautiful to be found when two cuisines meet and merge their unique flavors. In between teaching dance classes, I love to whip up vibrant dishes that represent my mixed heritage and today, I am going to introduce you to one of them. The recipe is a delightful veggie concoction that I’m proud to share: Fat Hen Pesto for Pasta Dishes. This meal carries the beauty of its simplicity, yet delivers an unforgettable and robust flavor.
A Dish Full of Flavors and Health Benefits
One reason why I truly adore the Fat Hen Pesto for Pasta Dishes is its unique taste and how it bursts with health benefits. Fat Hen offers a wonderful mix of salty, earthy, and slightly tangy undertones which when combined with the sharp parmesan cheese, nutty pine nuts, fresh lemon juice and aromatic garlic, takes your everyday pasta dish to a whole new level.
But it’s not just about flavor. Fat Hen, or as it’s scientifically known, Chenopodium Album, is rich in vitamins C and B, providing a wonderful boost to your immune system. Extra virgin olive oil offers heart-friendly antioxidants, garlic has been linked to improved cardiovascular health, and the lemon juice adds a good hit of antioxidant-rich vitamin C. Lastly, let’s not forget the parmesan cheese, which is a good source of both calcium and protein!
Pairing the Fat Hen Pesto for Pasta
This recipe has a tendency of stealing the spotlight with its unique flavor palate but it doesn’t mean it can’t play well with others. I find it pairs beautifully with roasted chicken, grilled fish, or you could even top off a bruschetta with this pesto for an elevated canape at your next dinner party. As for wine, a refreshing Sauvignon Blanc or Verdelho stands up well to the assertive flavors of this dish.
So, if you’re after a recipe that not only brings a rush of taste sensations but also ads value to your health, give the Fat Hen Pesto for Pasta Dishes a try. I hope you experience and relish it as much as I do. Happy cooking!
What You’ll Need
- 2 cups of fat hen leaves
- 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup of pine nuts
- 2 garlic cloves
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1 pound of pasta
Method
Step One
Begin by thoroughly washing the fat hen leaves to remove any dirt or debris. Once cleansed, roughly chop the leaves and set them aside to dry.
Step Two
In a skillet over medium heat, toast the pine nuts until they become lightly golden and aromatic. Be sure to stir continuously to prevent them from burning. Once toasted, transfer them to a plate and let them cool down.
Step Three
Peel the garlic cloves and in a food processor, combine the garlic, cleaned fat hen leaves, toasted pine nuts and parmesan cheese. Begin to blend these ingredients while slowly drizzling in the extra virgin olive oil. Continue to blend until a paste starts to form.
Step Four
Add in the salt, pepper, and lemon juice to the food processor and blend the mixture again until it is fully combined and smooth. Adjust the seasoning according to taste.
Step Five
Boil a large pot of water with a generous amount of salt. Once boiling, add the pasta and cook it according to package instructions until it is al dente or to your preferred level of tenderness.
Step Six
Drain the pasta, but reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water. Pour the freshly made pesto over the hot pasta and toss to combine, adding the pasta water a bit at a time if needed to thin out the pesto and evenly coat the pasta.
Step Seven
Serve the delicious fat hen pesto pasta while hot, with additional grated parmesan on top if desired. Enjoy!
