Thursday, April 8, 2010

Pasta with Pungent Parsley Pesto



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...Forgive the alliteration. I know it's bad, but my children named this dish years ago while making merry at the dinner table. It was a working mother's secret weapon and I made it a lot when I needed something fast and easy to pair with broiled steak, chicken or, in a pinch, even poached eggs. The making merry part was usually at my expense and the alliteration was the result too many good teachers and overactive, albeit creative, imaginations. This was back in the day when we didn't grill, we broiled and at that time pesto, the basil and pine nut variety, was sweeping the country. My children didn't care for the standard version, so I had to search for and experiment with other types. The one I found for our use is based on a recipe developed Patricia Wells and it is much easier to make than its more familiar cousin. The pungent portion of the alliteration comes from a few anchovies that are added to parsley as it's processed. Unless you let it sit too long you won't know they're in the sauce, though I must admit their flavor can become harsh if it sits for too long before being served. This is one of those rare sauces that I like to make just before I add it to the pasta. Freshly made, it is delicious and the anchovies are barely discernible. This is very easy to make if you have a food processor. There are folks who insist it is more flavorful if made in a mortar and pestle. I leave the method up to you. Here's the recipe.

Pasta with Pungent Parsley Pesto...from the kitchen of One Perfect bite, inspired by Patricia Wells

Ingredients:
1-1/2 to 2 tablespoons fresh minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
6 oil-packed anchovy fillets, drained and minced
3 cups loosely packed Italian parsley
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound capellini
1 to 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Directions:
1) Combine garlic, salt, anchovies and parsley in bowl of a food processor. Pulse 2 or 3 times, or until the sauce is well-mixed. Scrape down sides of bowl. While machine is running, add lemon juice and olive oil in a slow stream. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
2) Bring 6 quarts of water to a boil. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of salt and return to a boil. Add capellini and cook according to package instructions. Drain, reserving about 1 cup of water, and transfer to a very large bowl. Add 3/4 of pesto to pasta and toss to coat strands evenly. Add water by tablespoons if it seems to dry. Cover bowl for 1 minute. Toss again and add oil to moisten pasta. Transfer pasta to serving bowls, adding a spoonful of reserved pesto to each bowl. Serve immediately. Yield: 6 servings.

You might also enjoy these recipe:
Pasta Puttanesca - One Perfect Bite
Capellini Capricciosi - One Perfect Bite
Fusilli with Fennel, Sausage and Wine - One Perfect Bite

55 comments :

Martha said...

I've only made basil pesto but this looks easy and sounds good-- we like it as the main dish -- not a side dish but may have to try it with out next grilled steak!

The Red Umbrella said...

This does look good. Thanks!

Sushma Mallya said...

This look too good mary and what a beautiful click too...nice recipe of pesto too...worth giving a try soon...thanks for sharing, take care

Devaki said...

Hi! I love the addition of anchovies in the pesto. I adore the salt from the anchovies and use it in sauces all the time....yummy!

The pasta looks al dente and very refreshing!

Thanks for this :)

Ciao, Devaki

Alessandra said...

Simple and effective! Thank you Mary for answering about the lemon slice directly on my blog, it is a good way actually, sometime comments get lost because we lack the time to go back to the older posts (I try to, but at present I have limited internet connection!).

have a good day

Alessandra

Lucie said...

This sounds like a delicious pesto! I always get mine (the basil type) from a small market in the east of France--it's the best I've tasted so far, and can't get enough of it!

Cherine said...

this is a delicious pesto recipe!! thanks for sharing :)

Ana Powell said...

It looks delicious, awesome photo x

Katy ~ said...

I like the alliteration. I like that you remembered it all this time!

MaryMoh said...

I love the colour of this pasta...very refreshing and healthy. Looks delicious too.

Allie and Pattie said...

There is nothing easier or quicker than pasta and pesto- and so good! Wonderful recipe
xoxo Pattie

Deb in Hawaii said...

I love trying different ingredients in pesto. This looks wonderful and I love the name your kids gave it. ;-)

Anna said...

Hi MAry, simple and good...really a good recipe!thanks for sharing :-)

Schnitzel and the Trout said...

Mary, I must try this. Always make the basil type in a small Cuisinart food processor. It is quick and easy and much easier than the mortar and pestle.

tigerfish said...

I love that greenish green so much!

Deana Sidney said...

The lemon and anchovies are a fabulous idea...I personally love the alliteration... those names stick in you head. One of my favorites is called green slime rice... it's really delicious but, honestly, that's what it looks like. Also it makes people laugh when you tell them that's what they're eating! Lovely picture too, Mary!

Robyn said...

O just adore spaghetti with pesto, just on its own, and this looks like a gorgeous variant. Thanks!

Selba said...

I'm so sure that I would love this kind of pesto :)

Carla and Michael said...

I love a good pesto sauce on any pasta. It always compliments a lone meat or poultry dish so well. I am booking marking this one and the red pesto. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

I have a very similar recipe by sophia loren that I make time and time again. I love it, its a definite staple in our house.
http://www.donutstodelirium.com/2009/06/sophia-lorens-pasta-recipe/
Yours looks great, I can tell its going to be delish!
*kisses* HH

Diary From Africa said...

That looks lovely - the colour is great, too ! I like the name your kids gave it ... you'll never forget it !

Ciao Chow Linda said...

I've got to try this one - I love the addition of the anchovies.

Claudia said...

I have never done this with anchovies. What a grand idea! Alliteration works for me!

Bob said...

I've never had parsley pesto but it sounds awesome.

Rambling Tart said...

I love that your kids named it! :-) It's so something my brothers and I would've done to torment our lovely mother. :-)

Sonia ~ Nasi Lemak Lover said...

one word, Healthy!!

♥ Kathy said...

I like the alliteration and I like the recipe!

Lazaro Cooks said...

Wonderful bright vibrant pasta dish. I think the use of the anchovies adds much flavor.

Mary Bergfeld said...

Devaki, I think you'll love the recipe. I'm sorry I could not connect to your blog this morning. Have a great day. Blessings...Mary

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

I prefer pungent, if you please!

Holly said...

Looks delicious!

Valérie said...

I remember making a kind of parsley pesto a while ago, but it was soooo heavy on the garlic, it was impossible to eat it on a day that involved social interaction of any kind. This looks more reasonable - and I love anchovies in anything.

The Blonde Duck said...

I think the name is just too cute. It's like a peek into your past life!

Lori said...

Oh some fresh parsley and this recipe. Hmm Mary- very Spring like.

Namitha said...

Great pesto recipe...Lovely click as usual :-)

Hayley said...

Lovely colourful pasta! great click too..thanks for sharing

Andreas said...

Pretty perfect pasta post. ;)

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Mary, I love Patricia Wells and think she has such clever and tasty recipes. I'm not overly fond of pesto, so I know I would like this parsley version.
Sam

Federica Simoni said...

wow splendido piatto!

Hungry Dog said...

Sounds great. Anchovies in pesto is brilliant, I'm going to try it!

Nicole Chow said...

Mary, your photos are taking my breath away, while your recipes are making my mouth water. WOW! Pesto (basil kind) has been one of my favorites since I was a little kid. I remember my mother whirling around the fresh basil, garlic, olive oil and parmesan in the food processor as I counted down the seconds until we could eat. I like your addition of anchovy fillets. I'm a big fan of salty and fishy fish. Plus, they are good for you! This recipe is definitely a keeper! Thank you for visiting my blog. I'm so happy to have found yours, and can't wait to see what other masterpieces with which you come up. Take care, Nicole

Bryan said...

I love pesto of all varieties this looks wonderful! Do you really think the kids will eat something with anchovies? I will give this a try

Ms. Meanie said...

I LOVE pasta with pesto, I've only made basil, but parsley sounds fantastic too.

scrambledhenfruit said...

Yum-I've never used anchovies in pesto but I may have to try. I just won't tell anybody. :) Pesto is a staple sauce around my house because I'm allergic to tomatoes. Thanks for a new recipe!
Betty

Arlette said...

this ia a new recipe for pesto.. I make parsley pesto, and mint pesto but never used anchovy in the mix... I bet this is good. I do like it

Kim said...

Such wonderful flavors in this Mary. I can understand why it was such a great go to recipe for you.

Jessie said...

Alliteration livens up any recipe name :) You pesto looks dee-licious! I've never thought to add anchovies, but that's a GREAT idea!

My Little Space said...

The pasta looks pretty light and delicious. Probably, I'll add in some of my stir fried black papper chicken with wine! Yummm....

Lyndas recipe box said...

This is a beautiful and vibrant green pesto...looks delicious Mary!

Diana's Cocina said...

I love the color in this dish. It's so inviting.

Unknown said...

Made it for dinner tonight and DH wolfed it down. Gave it two thumbs up. Of course, he's an anchovy lover of the first rank, so he'll love it tomorrow for lunch too. I keep a safe distance from fillets but like them in the background. I thought it was delish, too. Thnx for yet another yummy dish.

Mary Bergfeld said...

Loni, I'm so glad you enjoyed the pasta. I hope you'll continue to try our recipes. I love the feedback.

tasteofbeirut said...

I have a ton of parsley I was destining for tabbouleh but I think I will keep a bit and make your pesto, sounds really yummy

Justin said...

ooh, i'm a big anchovy fan, so this is right up my alley.

Ma What's 4 dinner said...

I like that it's not just pasta with pesto. Oh no. And not just pasta with parsley peston. But way better indeed my friend. It's pasta with pungent parsley pesto. Sounds delish!

Alex aka Ma What's For Dinner
www.mawhats4dinner.com

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