linguine w. grilled asparagus pesto & lemon zest
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Ingredients
  • 1 bag (8 oz.) Trader Joe's Garlic Basil Linguine
  • 12 oz. asparagus, woody ends removed, then tossed in olive oil
  • ½ cup pine nuts, toasted
  • 3 cubes Dorot frozen crushed garlic (from Trader Joe's)
  • ¼ - ½ cup olive oil
  • ½ cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Grilled chicken, if desired
Instructions
  1. Heat an indoor skillet over medium-high heat, then lightly spray with cooking spray. In a medium bowl, lightly cover asparagus with olive oil. Transfer asparagus to grill and cook about 5 minutes, or until cooked and grill marks appear. Remove from heat and set aside.
  2. Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add pine nuts and toast until golden brown. Remove from heat.
  3. In a food processor, pulse toasted pine nuts and garlic until finely chopped. Add grilled asparagus. Gradually add olive oil while pulsing mixture, until asparagus is finely chopped and incorporated. Transfer pesto to a medium bowl, then stir in Parmesan and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  4. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a dash of salt and the linguine to the water; cook 4-6 minutes, or until pasta reaches desired texture. Reserve ½ cup pasta cooking water then drain pasta in a colander. Return pasta and reserved cooking water to the pot. Add pesto (will only use about ¾ of pesto) and lemon juice, and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Serve pasta hot; add grilled chicken on top, if desired.
Recipe by sweet caroline's cooking at https://sweetcarolinescooking.com/2013/12/10/checking-off-my-list-linguine-w-grilled-asparagus-pesto-lemon-zest/