Spaghetti in Homemade Basil Pesto Sauce

This recipe off to Earth Hour 2009 event hosted by Anna . I used to submit my recipes to her events when I had my website. Recently she invited me for this.I'm delighted to submit for Earth Hour 2009.

It was really hard to decide what to cook for this event.So many conditions...:) Very less packaging,transport and energy consumption. I have to mix and match everything,found some leftover fresh basil in my refrigerator. Instead of throwing away after a week I can use them now.

Here is the recipe for Spaghetti and Pesto Sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Vegetables(Carrots,Broccoli),steamed
• 2 cups Whole-Wheat Spaghetti
• Homemade Basil Pesto Sauce(recipe below)
• Salt to taste
  

Method

• Steam 10 -15 min all your favorite vegetables to go with spaghetti.
• Boil the water; add salt and cook spaghetti in salted boiled water for 18-20 minutes.
• Filter the water and mixed with prepared pesto sauce.
• Toss cooked vegetables into it.
  

Basil Pesto Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh Basil leaves
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese,grated
• 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1/3 cup Walnuts or Pine nuts
• 3 Garlic cloves, minced
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Method

• Pulse chopped walnuts few minutes in food processor.
• Add basil leaves into the processor.
• Add the garlic, pulse a few times more.
• 2 Slowly add the olive oil in a constant stream while the food processor is on.
  
• Add the grated cheese and pulse again until blended.
• Add a pinch of salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Note

• I forgot to take a picture of sauce, picture shown here is leftover.
• Toss favorite veggies into the sauce, place those on baking sheet; bake 350^o for 15-20 min or until tender.
  
• Add a splash of lemon juice to the sauce spread on fish/chicken and grill/bake until thoroughly cooked well.