View source for Penne with Pesto and Vegetables


== Ingredients ==
* 4 oz [[green bean]]s, trimmed and halved (1 cup)
* 12 oz [[penne]] or other [[:Category:Pasta tubes|short tubular pasta]]
* 12 oz small [[red-skinned potato|red potatoes]] (about 6), cut into ¾-inch chunks
* ¼ cup [[pine nut]]s (1½ oz)
* 1 medium clove [[garlic]], peeled and crushed
* 1¼ tsp [[salt]]
* 1½ cups fresh [[basil]] leaves
* pinch [[red pepper flakes]]
* ½ cup low-fat firm [[silken tofu]] (4 oz.)
* 1 tbsp extra-virgin [[olive oil]]
* [[pesto]]

== Procedures ==
# Bring large pot of lightly salted [[water]] to a boil for [[pasta]].
# Make pesto: in dry small skillet, toast [[pine nut]]s over medium-low heat, stirring, until light golden and fragrant, 2 to 4 minutes.
# Transfer to small bowl and let cool.
# Using a mortar and pestle or side of chef's knife, mash [[garlic]] and 1 teaspoon [[salt]] until paste forms.
# Transfer to food processor along with toasted [[pine nut]]s, [[basil]] and [[pepper]] flakes and process until finely chopped.
# Add [[tofu]] and [[oil]] and process until mixture is smooth.
# Transfer to medium bowl and season with freshly ground [[pepper]] to taste.
# Set pesto aside.
# Place [[potato]]es in a steamer basket in large saucepan over 2 cups boiling [[water]] and season with remaining ¼ teaspoon [[salt]].
# Cover and cook 4 minutes.
# Add [[green bean]]s to steamer basket, cover and cook until [[potato]]es and [[green beans|beans]] are tender, 8 to 10 minutes.
# Transfer vegetables to large serving bowl; cover to keep warm.
# Measure ⅓ cup [[water]] remaining in steamer and stir into pesto until well blended.
# Meanwhile, add [[penne]] to boiling [[water]]; stir to prevent sticking.
# Cook until just tender, 8 to 10 minutes.
# Drain [[pasta]], reserving a little cooking [[water]].
# Add [[pasta]] to vegetables along with pesto, adding a little reserved [[pasta]] [[water]] if needed.
# Toss to coat well and serve hot.

[[Category:Vegetarian Recipes]]
[[Category:Red-skinned potato Recipes]]
[[Category:Silken tofu Recipes]]
[[Category:Green bean Recipes]]
[[Category:Pine nut Recipes]]
[[Category:Penne Recipes]]
[[Category:Pasta tube Recipes]]
[[Category:Basil Recipes]]