~Creamy Basil Pesto Pasta~

The below recipe can be modified multiple ways by using the following ingredients:

-Fresh Basil

-Walnuts/Almonds/ Cashews/ Pine Nuts

-Fresh Oregano, or Fresh Rosemary

-Baby Spinach

-Parsley

Ingredients:

-1 cup boiled Pasta of your choice

-Grated Parmesan or Grated Provolone cheese

Creamy Sauce:

-1.5 cups milk or 1 cup heavy cream

-2 tbsp All Purpose Flour

-1 tbsp sugar

-2 tbsp butter

-Salt and pepper to taste

Pesto:

–1/2 cup of Spinach

-5-6 big Basil leaves

-1/4 cup fresh oregano leaves

-Handful of walnuts

-1 tbsp Parmesan cheese

-1 tsp Lemon zest

– Red chilli flakes to taste

– EVOO (Extra virgin olive Oil) 3-4 tbsp or as required

Method:

Pesto:

1. Add Basil, Spinach, Oregano, Walnuts, Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, red chilli flakes, salt and start churning it in the mixture. Once the mixture is starting to grind, add EVOO and get it to a smooth consistency. Your Pesto is ready!

Creamy Sauce:

1. In a pan, heat up the butter and once its starts to melt, add the all purpose flour.
2. Roast the flour till it becomes a little golden in color and then slowly whisk in the milk while continuously stirring the mixture.
3. Mix the milk and the roasted flour and let it simmer for a few minutes until it gets a little thick.
4. Next season it with salt, pepper, sugar, oregano and Italian seasoning mix.
5. Once the sauce it at the thick consistency desired, add the cooked pasta, pesto, and garnish with some sautéd veggies, fresh Grated Parmesan, Provolone or Grana Padano of your choice.

Note: You can always add crushed Garlic to the pesto!