Creamy green pesto pasta and rocket salad
Pesto is a dream to make. So easy and tasty, and one that can be easily adapted depending on your ingredients to hand. This one uses pinenuts and spinach for a beautiful earthy rich flavour that is balanced by the sweetness of the corn.
Good for you!
Spinach
Remember Popeye, the cartoon sailor who gained superhuman strength after eating spinach? While we can’t promise you’ll be able to punch through walls like he could, there’s no denying that spinach is a superfood that can provide a range of health benefits.
For starters, spinach is high in nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, iron, and calcium. These nutrients are essential for healthy bones, immune function, and overall health, just like they were for Popeye. But spinach has even more to offer than just its nutrient content.
One of the reasons Popeye loved spinach so much was because of its ability to give him an energy boost. This is because spinach is high in dietary nitrates, which can improve blood flow and oxygen delivery to your muscles, helping you feel more energized and alert. So, if you’re feeling tired or sluggish, try adding some spinach to your diet and see if it gives you a little extra pep in your step.
Another reason spinach is so good for you is because it can help improve heart health, just like it did for Popeye. Spinach contains compounds that can help lower blood pressure and improve circulation, which can reduce the risk of heart disease. Plus, it’s low in calories and high in fiber, making it a great addition to a heart-healthy diet.
And let’s not forget about Popeye’s famous muscles. While spinach might not give you bulging biceps overnight, it can help improve muscle function and recovery. This is because spinach is high in magnesium, which is important for muscle and nerve function, and vitamin K, which can help prevent muscle damage and promote healing.
Rocket
Rocket, also known as arugula or roquette, is a leafy green vegetable that is commonly used in salads, sandwiches, and pizzas. It is low in calories and high in vitamins and minerals, making it a healthy addition to any diet. Some of the benefits of consuming rocket or arugula include:
- Nutrient-rich: Rocket is a good source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium, potassium, and iron. These nutrients can help improve bone health, boost the immune system, and promote healthy blood clotting.
- Antioxidant properties: Rocket is rich in antioxidants such as beta-carotene, which can help protect the body against damage from free radicals.
- Digestive health: Rocket contains fibre, which can help promote digestive health and prevent constipation.
- Anti-inflammatory properties: Rocket contains compounds that have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation in the body and may be beneficial for conditions such as arthritis and asthma.
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 300 g dry pasta
- 200 g sweetcorn
- 1 handful rocket
For the pesto
- 200 g pine nuts toasted
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 2 cloves garlic peeled
- 100 g spinach
- ½ tsp salt
- juice 1 lemon
Preparation
Pesto is so quick and easy, that needs very little preparation. To get the best flavour for the pesto, you’ll want to toast the pine nuts before using.
In a large baking tray, spread out the pine nuts and bake in a pre-heated oven at 180C for 5 minutes, but keep a careful eye so they don’t burn. Give them a shake halfway through.
Alternatively, you can toast them in a wide based pan on a hob.
Once toasted, you can add to a blender along with the rest of the ingredients.
Don’t forget to cook the pasta in advance too. Depending on whether you want a hot or cold dish, will depend on when you want to cook the pasta. I always like to batch cook pasta in advance so there is always some cold for a quick lunch dish such as this.
Directions
In a blender add all the pesto ingredients and blend until nice and smooth. Taste and add a little more salt or lemon juice to taste.
Stir through cooked pasta, add a handful of sweetcorn and top with fresh rocket.
Creamy green pasta and rocket salad
Equipment
- 1 Blender
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 300 g dry pasta
- 200 g sweetcorn
- 1 handful rocket
For the Pesto
- 200 g pine nuts toasted
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 2 cloves garlic peeled
- 100 g spinach
- ½ tsp salt
- juice 1 lemon
Instructions
- In a pan, add water with a pinch of salt, and bring to a boil. Add the pasta according to pack instructions.
- For the pesto, add all the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Drain the pasta and stir through the pesto and sweetcorn.
- Serve the pasta in bowls and top with a handful of fresh rocket.
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