PASTA WITH PESTO AND RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat the grill to high. Arrange the tomatoes and salmon over a baking tray, season and drizzle with half the oil. Grill for 10 mins until the salmon is cooked through and the tomatoes are juicy. Leave to cool.
• Cook the penne following pack instructions, until al dente. Add the broccoli for the final 2 mins of cooking time. Drain the pasta, reserving a large mugful of water.
• Return the pasta and broccoli to the pan, then stir in the pesto, mascarpone, half the tomatoes and enough of the reserved pasta water to thin the sauce to the consistency of double cream. Flake in the salmon, discarding the skin. Tip into a large baking dish, then mix the breadcrumbs with the parmesan and remaining oil, and scatter this over the mixture. Dot the rest of the tomatoes on top. If baking straightaway, heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Or, cover and chill until you’re ready to cook. Will keep chilled for up to 24 hours.
• Bake for 20 mins (or 25 mins from chilled) until the top is golden and crunchy.

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.