Pea Pesto Prawn Spaghetti Recipes

SHRIMP PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• If frozen, thaw the shrimp.
• Start a pot of well salted water to a boil. Boil the pasta until it is just al dente. Start tasting a few minutes before the package recommends: you want it to be tender but still a little firm on the inside; usually around 7 to 8 minutes. Just before draining, reserve 1 cup pasta water! Then drain the pasta.
• Pat the shrimp dry. In a medium bowl, mix the shrimp with spices. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil on medium high heat. Cook the shrimp for 1 to 2 minutes per side until opaque and cooked through, turning them with tongs. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• Place the pasta in a bowl (not the pasta pot). Stir together the pasta, pesto, and 1/2 cup pasta water, tossing with tongs until the pesto is well distributed and the pasta water forms a creamy sauce. Add more pasta water if desired. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt and taste. If the flavor doesn't pop, add a few more pinches until it does. Top with the cooked shrimp and serve immediately. (Store any leftovers refrigerated: note that pesto can get gummy when reheated, so it's best to eat leftovers cold or room temp.)

SHRIMP, PEAS AND PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Cook linguine as directed on package. Drain, reserving 1/3 cup of the cooking water. Rinse linguine with hot water; cover to keep warm.
• Meanwhile, in 12-inch nonstick skillet, cook shrimp with 1 tablespoon of the pesto over medium-high heat 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until shrimp are pink. Add peas; cook 2 to 3 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
• Stir remaining pesto and 1/3 cup reserved cooking water into linguine; toss with shrimp and peas. Spoon into 4 bowls; top each with 1 tablespoon cheese.

PASTA, PESTO, AND PEAS

Steps:

• Cook the fusilli and bow ties separately in a large pot of boiling salted water for 10 to 12 minutes until each pasta is al dente. Drain and toss into a bowl with the olive oil. Cool to room temperature.
• In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade, puree the pesto, spinach, and lemon juice. Add the mayonnaise and puree. Add the pesto mixture to the cooled pasta and then add the Parmesan, peas, pignoli, salt, and pepper. Mix well, season to taste, and serve at room temperature.
• Place the walnuts, pignoli, and garlic in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Process for 15 seconds. Add the basil leaves, salt, and pepper. With the processor running, slowly pour the olive oil into the bowl through the feed tube and process until the pesto is thoroughly pureed. Add the Parmesan and puree for a minute. Use right away or store the pesto in the refrigerator or freezer with a thin film of olive oil on top.
• Notes: Air is the enemy of pesto. For freezing, pack it in containers with a film of oil or plastic wrap directly on top with the air pressed out.
• To clean basil, remove the leaves, swirl them in a bowl of water, and then spin them very dry in a salad spinner. Store them in a closed plastic bag with a slightly damp paper towel. As long as the leaves are dry they will stay green for several days.

PASTA ALLA PAMELA WITH SHRIMP AND PEAS

Steps:

• Bring a big pot of water to a boil. Salt liberally.
• In a large bowl, toss the shrimp with 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and the baking soda and marinate in the fridge for 15 minutes (this keeps the shrimp moist with a nice crust on the outside).
• Add the pasta to the pot of boiling water and cook according to the package instructions. Drain, reserving about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water.
• Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add the oil to the skillet, then arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the oil. Reduce the heat to medium. Cook, undisturbed, until a nice crust is formed, about 2 minutes. Flip the shrimp, then add the butter and garlic. Cook gently until fragrant, about 1 more minute. Add the wine to deglaze and let simmer for 1 more minute. Add the peas and pasta. Toss to combine. Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper. Add a generous amount of Parmesan and toss again, adding the pasta water as necessary.
• Transfer the pasta to a large serving bowl. Garnish with more Parmesan and the parsley. Serve.

SWEET PEA PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions.
• Meanwhile, place peas, spinach, basil, Parmesan, olive oil, walnuts, garlic and salt and pepper in a blender or food processor.
• Two minutes before pasta is done, ladle out 1/2 cup hot pasta cooking water and add to blender. Pulse until smooth, scraping sides and adding additional pasta water by the tablespoon, if needed.
• When pasta is done, drain lightly and return to pot. Add sauce and toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately with additional Parmesan cheese and tomatoes, if desired.