Penne With Blue Cheese And Herbs Recipes

PENNE PASTA WITH TOMATOES, HERBS AND BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• Saute the diced onion in olive oil over medium heat until the onions are translucent.
• Add the minced garlic and saute one minute longer.
• Add the tomatoes with juices, red wine and dried oregano to the onion-garlic mixture and simmer until most of the juices are gone, about 8-10 minutes.
• Add the salt and pepper to taste and reduce heat to low.
• Simmer covered, on very low heat, while the Penne Pasta is cooking, about 8 minutes.
• Add the crumbled blue cheese and half of the fresh basil to the sauce mixture.
• Stir until the sauce has become creamy.
• Pour the tomato sauce over the hot cooked pasta and toss with the remaining fresh basil.
• Spoon pasta into serving bowl and garnish with whole fresh basil leaves.

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.