Arugula pesto can be used in so many different ways, but this is one of my favorites. Adding a few cups of the whole Arugula leaves at the end adds additional flavor and texture, along with color. You can also change it a bit by adding walnuts instead of pine nuts, and a nice firm goat or sheep's milk cheese instead of the mozzarella. The salad will keep for several days, and is a great addition to any summer meal, or summer picnic.
Cook the pasta per the manufacturers' directions. Drain when cooked, and toss with the two tablespoons of olive oil. Remember, as with any pasta, add salt to the cooking water, never add oil to the cooking water and do not rinse the pasta.
Using a blender or food processor, add the 3 cups of arugula, garlic cloves, salt and olive oil. Process until you have a smooth pesto
Toast the pine nuts, and cut the mozzarella cheese in to small cubes. Mix the lemon juice, one teaspoon salt and 1/4 cup of olive oil
When the cooked pasta has cooled to room temperature, mix with the pesto, pine nuts, cubed mozzarella and lemon juice/olive oil mixture.
Before serving toss the additional 2 cups of Arugula in to the salad. Tossing the salad will also coat the pieces of pasta with the olive oil dressing that has accumulated at the bottom. Taste to see if you need additional salt or pepper.
Ingredients
Directions
Cook the pasta per the manufacturers' directions. Drain when cooked, and toss with the two tablespoons of olive oil. Remember, as with any pasta, add salt to the cooking water, never add oil to the cooking water and do not rinse the pasta.
Using a blender or food processor, add the 3 cups of arugula, garlic cloves, salt and olive oil. Process until you have a smooth pesto
Toast the pine nuts, and cut the mozzarella cheese in to small cubes. Mix the lemon juice, one teaspoon salt and 1/4 cup of olive oil
When the cooked pasta has cooled to room temperature, mix with the pesto, pine nuts, cubed mozzarella and lemon juice/olive oil mixture.
Before serving toss the additional 2 cups of Arugula in to the salad. Tossing the salad will also coat the pieces of pasta with the olive oil dressing that has accumulated at the bottom. Taste to see if you need additional salt or pepper.