Monday, April 14, 2014

pistachio pesto pasta with lamb


Springtime food might be my favorite. I love all the fresh, bright flavors and the gorgeous, vibrant colors. It just makes me happy!

This dish combines all of those things into one crazy good pasta dish. The pesto is lemony and minty and good enough to eat by the spoonful. Don't worry, you'll have some extra leftover to do just that.

Lamb turns this into a hearty spring dinner, but the pasta would also be a lovely vegetarian dish on its own. Either way, y'all are going to love this one!

Pistachio Pesto Pasta with Lamb (adapted from Running to the Kitchen)
serves 4

you'll need:
1 lb. fettuccine
1 lb. ground lamb
2 cups baby spinach
1/4 cup mint leaves
1/3 cup alfalfa sprouts
2 garlic cloves
juice of 1 lemon
1/4 cup shelled pistachios
1/2 cup grated pecorino
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt generously, then add the pasta and cook to al dente according to the package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.

Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the lamb and cook until completely done, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Add salt and pepper to taste. Transfer the cooked lamb to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat.

While the pasta and lamb are cooking, make the pesto: in a food processor or blender, blend spinach, mint, sprouts, garlic, lemon juice, pistachios, pecorino, salt, and olive oil until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.

Combine the cooked pasta, lamb, and as much pesto as you like (I used about half). You may want to add a bit of the reserved pasta water to thin it out. Garnish each bowl with more sprouts, pistachios, and pecorino. So good, y'all!

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29 comments:

  1. Green foods always seem to make me happy! And pesto is definitely high on that "love" list. The pistachio switch out for pine nuts sounds super!

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    1. Thanks dear! Agree - cannot get enough pesto right now!

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  2. Such a perfect spring dish! I've been nibbling on my leftover pistachios the past few weeks and remembering how much I love it plain. I just love the sound of pistachio pesto and the lamb rounds it out perfectly. Looks so delicious, Marie!

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    1. Thank you, Monica! I know... pistachios are so addicting!

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  3. I can see this on my table very soon. Lovin' the pistachio action in the pesto.

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  4. We're always looking for lamb recipes to eat on Easter. This looks fantastic!

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  5. Ahhh - mint, alfalfa sprouts, garlic, lemon, pistachio all in one bowl = a whole lotta yum!
    Awesome combo of flavors and textures!

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  6. Hell yes to Pistachio Pesto!!!

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  7. I have been feasting on mac and cheese and pasta - this is on the list next :)

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    1. Love the color of your pistachio pesto, great combination of ingredients. This looks like a real winner!

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    2. Dixya - Mac & cheese.. yum! Let me know if you give it a try!

      Cheri - Thanks so much!

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  8. You, my friend are a genius! All of this is like my faves all in one meal- Pasta, lamb, mint, lemon! Score! Pinning!

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  9. This recipe sounds so fancy to me! I think because I never cook with pistachios or lamb, haha! It sure looks yummy, though! :)

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  10. This is such a perfect spring food! I need to buy lamb more often!

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    1. I've just recently started to buy it more often...YUM. Thanks Natalie!

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  11. WOW!!! What a lovely combination!!! Thanks!

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  12. Such gorgeous dish!! Definitely Spring on a plate!

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  13. This looks delicious! And I love the idea of pistachio pesto since I'm a pine nut hater.

    -- Alex at Cashmere Kangaroo

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    1. Thank you! I love pine nuts, but the pistachio is definitely a good substitute!

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