Fettuccine with pesto sauce and salad

Fettuccine with pesto sauce and fresh salad

Italian cuisine, with its unmistakable flavors and simple yet delicious recipes, is a true culinary treasure. Today, I will guide you through a recipe for fettuccine with pesto sauce, accompanied by a refreshing salad, perfect for a quick and healthy lunch. It is a perfect recipe for those days when you want to indulge your taste buds without spending hours in the kitchen. Let's get started!

Total preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Number of servings: 2

Ingredients:

For fettuccine:
- 200 g spinach fettuccine (you can also use regular fettuccine, but the spinach ones add a touch of color and extra nutrients)
- 1 tablespoon pesto sauce (you can choose store-bought pesto or make it at home)

For the salad:
- ½ bunch of wild garlic (fragrant and full of vitamins, wild garlic can be replaced with spinach or arugula if you can't find it)
- 1 tomato (choose a ripe and juicy one for more intense flavor)
- 1 green onion (adds a crunchy and slightly spicy note)
- 2 radishes (these provide a pleasant contrast and a crunchy texture)
- a few valerian leaves (for added freshness, but you can also use other salad greens)
- 1 teaspoon capers (from a jar, for a slightly salty and savory taste)
- salt (to taste)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (to bring all the flavors together)
- juice from ½ lemon (adds acidity and balance to the salad)
- 1 slice of slightly salty telemea cheese (for added creaminess and flavor)

Preparation:

1. Start by bringing a large pot of water to a boil. When the water starts to boil, add a teaspoon of salt (this step is essential for flavoring the pasta). Add the fettuccine and cook according to the package instructions, usually between 8-10 minutes, until al dente.

2. Meanwhile, prepare the pesto sauce. If using store-bought sauce, you can blend it a bit to make it creamier. If you want to make it at home, blend fresh basil leaves, nuts, garlic, parmesan, and olive oil until you get a smooth paste.

3. After the pasta is ready, drain it and transfer it to a large bowl. Add the pesto sauce and mix well so that the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce. If you want a thinner sauce, add a little pasta cooking water.

4. While the pasta cools slightly, prepare the salad. Wash all the vegetables well under cold running water. Cut the wild garlic into thin strips, the tomato into cubes, the green onion into rings, and the radishes into thin slices.

5. In a large bowl, combine all the chopped vegetables. Add the capers, salt, olive oil, and lemon juice to taste. Gently mix to avoid crushing the vegetables.

6. Before serving, cut the telemea cheese into small cubes and add it to the salad, mixing gently.

7. Portion the fettuccine with pesto sauce onto plates and serve alongside the fresh salad. This combination not only looks good, but it also tastes absolutely delicious!

Notes and useful tips:

- You can experiment with different types of pasta – spinach fettuccine adds a splash of color and nutrients, but you can also use tagliatelle or even whole wheat pasta for extra fiber.
- The pesto sauce can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator, being careful to cover it with a thin layer of olive oil to prevent oxidation.
- If you're looking for a vegan option, you can replace the telemea cheese with tofu or vegan cheese and use nuts instead of parmesan in the pesto sauce.
- Fettuccine with pesto sauce can also be served warm, but they are delicious at room temperature, making them ideal for a picnic or a quick meal at home.

Frequently asked questions:

- Can I use other types of sauces for pasta? Of course! You can try a tomato sauce, a cheese sauce, or even a cream-based sauce.
- How can I store pesto sauce? Pesto sauce keeps well in the refrigerator for a few days, but it is recommended to consume it fresh to enjoy its intense flavors.
- What can I pair this dish with? Fettuccine with pesto sauce pairs perfectly with a glass of dry white wine or fresh lemonade, and for dessert, a tiramisu or vanilla ice cream would be the ideal choice.

Nutritional benefits:
Fettuccine with pesto sauce is not only delicious but also very nutritious. Whole wheat or spinach pasta provides complex carbohydrates essential for energy, while the pesto sauce, rich in olive oil, nuts, and basil, provides healthy fats, antioxidants, and vitamins.

Now that you have learned how to prepare this delicious fettuccine with pesto sauce and fresh salad, all that’s left is to enjoy it! Bon appétit!