Cilantro Pasta

CILANTRO OR CORIANDER leaves are easily available in India and is most widely used herb. So I decided upon using this common herb to flavour the pasta. Coriander pesto is made and then added to the pasta. Any kind of pasta can be used. To enrich it further, vegetables like tomatoes,bell pepper. carrots etc can be used. Since pine nuts are not available here in India, walnuts were used to make the pesto.

Ingredients	Quantity
Macaroni or any other Pasta	1 ½ cups
Coriander Pesto	3 tbsps
Black Pepper Powder	½ tsp
Salt	to taste
Olive Oil/Sunflower Oil	1 ½ tbsps
Tomato	1 medium size
Bell Pepper/Capsicum	1 medium
Grated Parmesan Cheese	1 tbsp

Method

1. Boil the pasta in plenty of water with salt added and keep it aside.


2. Take a pan and heat one teaspoon of oil and add sliced tomatoes and bell pepper and fry them. Different coloured bell peppers can be used. Keep this aside.


3. In the same pan take the rest of the oil and add the cilantro pesto and fry it a little. Add the cooked pasta and mix. Add some pepper powder too. Heat it till it is hot.


4. To serve, put the pasta in the serving dish and add the vegetables and garnish it with some sprigs of cilantro and sprinkle some grated parmesan on top.

To make Cilantro Pesto you need

Ingredients	Quantity
Cleaned and washed Cilantro leaves	2 medium bunches
Garlic Cloves	4 or 5
Chopped Walnuts	3 tbsps
Olive Oil	3 tbsps
Salt	to taste

Method

Combine all these ingredients and blend them coarsely in a mixie.If more oil is required it can be added. This pesto can be stored in a container in the fridge and used later within few days.

If you try the recipe, do let me know of the outcome. And if you liked it!
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