Whole-Wheat Pasta Shells with Spicy Tomato Pesto and Winter Greens
Beatriz Dacosta
Ingredients
- Pesto:
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed without oil
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Greens:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 3 cups trimmed Swiss chard, sliced into 1/2-inch strips
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pasta:
- 8 cups hot cooked (about 4 cups uncooked) whole-wheat pasta shells
- 4 teaspoons grated fresh Parmesan cheese
Preparation
To prepare pesto, combine boiling water and sun-dried tomatoes in a bowl; let stand 30 minutes or until soft. Drain tomatoes in a colander over a bowl, reserving 1/2 cup liquid.
Drop tomatoes, almonds, cheese, basil, and garlic through food chute with food processor on; process until minced. Keeping processor on, add salt and red pepper. Slowly pour 1 1/2 tablespoons oil through food chute; process until well-blended, scraping sides. Add reserved soaking liquid 1 tablespoon at a time until mixture appears smooth. Set aside.
To prepare greens, heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook 10 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring frequently. Add Swiss chard; stir-fry 1 minute or until leaves turn bright green. Add water, salt, and pepper; cover and cook 2 minutes.
Combine pesto and hot cooked pasta in a large bowl; toss well. Add greens mixture; toss well. Sprinkle with Parmesan.
- Yield: Serves 5 (serving size: 2 cups)
Whole-wheat pastas have a firmer, chewier texture than white-flour pastas, and a robust flavor that stands up well to strong-flavored olive oil-based sauces or pestos.
Nutritional Information
| Calories per serving: | 355 |
|---|---|
| Calories per serving: | 30% |
| Fat per serving: | 12.4g |
| Saturated fat per serving: | 2.6g |
| Monounsaturated fat per serving: | 7.1g |
| Polyunsaturated fat per serving: | 1.6g |
| Protein per serving: | 14.3g |
| Carbohydrates per serving: | 51.9g |
| Fiber per serving: | 6.6g |
| Cholesterol per serving: | 5mg |
| Iron per serving: | 2.9mg |
| Sodium per serving: | 608mg |
| Calcium per serving: | 147mg |
