Pesto Banza Rotini with Blistered Tomatoes

Cook Time

20 minutes

Yield

2 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 box Banza Rotini
  • 1-1/2 cups tightly packed basil leaves, plus additional for garnish
  • 1/2 cup tightly packed spinach leaves
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 3/4 cup grated Parmesan, plus additional for garnish
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 pint multi-colored cherry tomatoes, quartered lengthwise
  • Toasted pine nuts, for garnish

Directions

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season generously with salt. Add basil and spinach leaves, and cook for 10 seconds, or until bright green in color. Remove with tongs or a strainer, reserving water for next step. Rinse under cold water until cool, then squeeze out excess water between towels.
  2. Add Banza Rotini to boiling water and cook according to package directions. Strain pasta with cold water to stop cooking and set aside.
  3. While pasta cooks, in a blender or food processor pulse pine nuts and garlic until finely chopped. Add blanched greens and olive oil and puree until completely smooth. Then add lemon juice and Parmesan. Puree again until combined. Taste and season with salt and pepper as desired.
  4. In a large bowl, combine Banza and pesto and toss until pasta is coated. Stir in tomatoes, and garnish with extra basil leaves or grated Parmesan.
Note

This dish is meant to be served cold.

return to Mindful Choices