Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Spinach Pasta With Artichokes and Basil Cilantro Pesto

I kind of slacked on my cooking last week, so on Sunday evening I actually made a meal that had been planned for Wednesday. It is yet another recipe from V-con. It's actually supposed to be spinach linguine, but I couldn't find spinach linguine anywhere here in Mo-town. I did find some whole-wheat spinach spaghetti, so that's what I went with.

I was a very easy meal to put together. The pesto was fantastic even though I'm not really fond of cilantro. Along with the basil and cilantro, it has salt, lemon juice, olive oil and almonds. It was as good as the pesto I usually make with lots of parmesan cheese. I always scoffed at vegan pesto, but damn, it was really good.

The pasta required sauteeing a sliced red onion with some garlic until soft, then adding some white wine. After the pasta was finished cooking, I added it to the onion/garlic mixture along with some of the cooking water. Then I kind of tossed in the pesto, and finally added the canned artichoke hearts and heated it through. It was a really good pasta dish. I think it would be just as good with plain noodles too. It would be something different and really easy for a dinner party. It seems a little bit fancy too, so it would impress the guests.

Last night, since I had all the ingredients, I made the chickpea cutlets again! Yep, they're that good.

11 comments:

carrie said...

This looks and sounds delicious. Something I would love. I love cilantro pesto...I put it on my black bean pizzas. I've not been making pesto lately though, because I can't find rennet free parm cheese.....I'll have to try this one as soon as the library gets V-con.

Charleston Catholic / Clay Center Project said...

Yyyyyyyyyum!!!!

Your blog is like food porn.

Charleston Catholic / Clay Center Project said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Susan Chipley said...

Carrie: Black bean pizzas? YUM! I don't recall ever seeing that on you blog.

Rebecca: That's probably why I'm finding it so difficult to lose a few pounds! LOL!

carrie said...

I posted about it back in October, shortly after I started the blog. I've made it once or twice since then, but am trying to cut out cheese with rennet (baby steps to veganism you might say), so pesto's are becoming tough to make.

carrie said...

hmmm...my hyperlink seems to not be directing to the post.....let me try again black bean pizza

Susan Chipley said...

Whoooo! That black bean pizza looks like some seriously good stuff. In V-con, there is a recipe for an almond-based parmesan substitute. I'm going to try it in pesto sometime.

carrie said...

I might have to try that parm sub, but I don't know, I really like REAL parm cheese.

I have to do pesto's sparingly anyway, as my littlest is allergic to nuts, and she can't eat pesto. So, she always has to get a different meal, and I'm not really in to being a short order cook, KWIM?

Susan Chipley said...

carrie: I hear you loud and clear! Since my daughter started kindergarten, and has lunch at 11, the kids are ready for dinner at 4. Well, Sleek is almost never home before 6, so I always end up cooking twice. It sucks! That's the reason my kids usually have broccoli and something like grilled cheese, pasta or yogurt for dinner.

Charleston Catholic / Clay Center Project said...

Hahahaha! I'm right there with you, sister... I need to lose a few pounds, but ...er... I like food.

Susan Chipley said...

I totally hear ya, Becky! I never can decide whether or not I'd be happier if I lost 10 lbs, but had to give up favorite foods to do so. I'm not overweight or anything, but I just can't get comfortable in my own body. I'm not good at self-deprivation, so dieting has never really been something I can do.