Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Artichoke Pesto Over Ricotta Cavatelli Ravioli

The 99c only Stores carry all the ingredients to make a great pesto. All you need is an herb, parmesan, toasted nuts, olive oil, vinegar or lemon juice and garlic. The 99 Cent Chef has come up with a savory pesto using a 99c only Store staple -- marinated artichoke hearts.


While the Chef has not seen fresh herbs there in a while (my local ethnic market is selling one bunch of fresh parsley for 49 cents,) for this recipe use fresh basil or parsley from your window or patio garden -- you have one, don't you? Don't worry, if not, substitute dried basil, always found at 99c only Stores and grated parmesan is easy to find there lately; while most pesto recipes call for pine nuts or walnuts, the Chef found a great alternate -- roasted pumpkin seeds.


Now all you need is a ravioli to marry with the pesto; just hit the freezer case and try this one out -- Ricotta Cavatelli. You will be surprised at the fresh frozen pasta carried in this 99c only Store.

Artichoke Pesto (serves 2)
1 jar marinated artichoke hearts
(about 6oz.)
1/2 cup roasted pumpkin seeds
(salted seeds provide all the sodium chloride this dish needs)
1 tablespoon garlic (jar or fresh)
1/4 cup 99 cent grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons 99c olive oil blend
1 bunch fresh basil or 1 tablespoon dried basil
1 teaspoon 99 cent fresh ground pepper (a common sight at said store)



Directions
Start a pot of boiling water for pasta. Combine all ingredients (including oil and vinegar marinade from jar of artichoke hearts) except parmesan cheese and blender together for a few seconds; then mix in grated parmesan cheese. Boil pasta per directions. To serve mix pesto and pasta together.


3 comments:

Unknown said...

This was actually pretty tasty. i added in about an 1/8 of a cup of limon corn nuts for texture. got very nice reviews from my two friends who helped me eat the experiment.

Sophia Sparx said...

For more great pesto recipes, see http://iheartpesto.blogspot.com

Nate's mom said...

This was so delicious!! Even my 2 year old asked for seconds!

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