Pies and Plots

Writing Never Tasted So Sweet

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Press
  • Contact
  • Books

Pesto Pasta

August 16, 2012

Share
Pin
Tweet
Email
Print
Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

Pesto Pasta

Are you watching The Newsroom?  Okay, so you’re probably not, but you totally should be.  It’s on HBO, but probably available now or soon wherever else far cooler and more technologically savvy people find TV shows (Netflix and the like).  And it’s the best show I’ve seen in a long time, maybe ever.

Sure there’s been a lot of criticism about it.  Some people say the characters, particularly the female ones, aren’t very well fleshed out.  Others think it’s political opinion rolled into a TV show.  And there are those who see an over idealized workplace filled with people who live in a dream world and stand on their soapbox berating us, the viewers, with their beliefs.  Yeah, I think that about covers the negative press.

Here’s the thing.  Perhaps some of the criticism is true, but I don’t see it even though I tend to think I can detect such issues with TV shows easily.  Call me naïve, say I’m drinking the Aaron Sorkin Cool-Aid, which I can pretty much assure you I probably am, but I love the show.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, watching Sorkin’s movies and TV shows  cause me to fall in love with words and made me certain, absolutely certain, that I want to be a writer.  I even unabashedly loved Studio 60 and I’ll never understand how Moneyball didn’t win more Oscars.  So going into this show I knew I was likely going to love it unless it was in a different language or something.

Herbs and Garlic

I love these characters.  I love that they’re flawed but still want to do their best.  They want to make the news and by proxy the world a better, more informed place.  They don’t and won’t always succeed; the point is that they try.  I’ve never felt like the characters, females included, were off in any way that didn’t make them seem more real, like human beings.  I only spend the hour wishing they were my friends, hoping one day I’ll have amazing people like that surrounding me in the workplace and life in general.  I want to work with them, celebrate their victories, mourn their defeats.  Watching makes me want to stand up and cheer.

Instead of feeling hammered by opinions, I respect their opinions, even if I sometimes disagree.  I want to hear what they have to say, to learn from them.  Much like I’ll never forget the opening scenes from Studio 60, the sequence from a few weeks ago about the Gabby Gifford’s shooting with my favorite Coldplay song in the background will never leave my mind.  It was a beautiful piece of television.

It makes me laugh and cry and scream and keeps my attention for a full 60 minutes.  Each episode is a masterpiece, leaving me on pins and needles waiting to see the next.  Give it a try, maybe you’ll enjoy it as much as I do.  I’m going to keep writing to see if I can create something as great as this one day soon.

Until then, I made pesto, a whole lot easier than television genius.  It’s quick and simple to make with a few ingredients, including some fresh herbs, perfect for the season.  I took the pesto, which is best eaten nearly as soon as it’s made, mixed it with some orange juice and zest, chicken stock, wild Alaskan king salmon, and traditional Shirataki noodles, which have no calories (oh, yeah, you read that right NO CALORIES)!  It was an amazing dinner that was crazy quick to put together, leaving me with more time to watch TV and write.  A girl couldn’t ask for more.

Pesto

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Pesto Pasta


★★★★★

5 from 3 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Ingredients

Scale
  • Pesto
  • ½ cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves
  • 1 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
  • 2–3 tablespoons walnuts
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Pasta
  • 1 recipe pesto, above
  • Juice and zest of 1 orange
  • ½ cup low or no sodium chicken stock
  • 1 bag traditional Shirataki noodles
  • ½ pound cooked wild Alaskan king salmon

Instructions

  1. Make the pesto. In the bowl of a food processor, process walnuts, garlic, and pepper until finely minced and almost a paste. Add basil and parsley and process until it is fully incorporated into the paste, scraping down the bowl as necessary. Drizzle in the oil with the processor running. Process until fully combined. This makes a thick pesto; if you want it to be thinner, add more oil.
  2. Make the pasta. Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat. When hot, add the pesto and chicken stock. Stir to combine and start reducing. Add the orange juice and zest. Continue cooking until the sauce is bubbling and thickened. Add the salmon and noodles, prepared according to bag instructions, cooking until heated through. Serve immediately.
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 20 mins

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @piesandplots on Instagram

 

 

Filed Under: Savory Tagged With: Dinner, Entree, Garlic, Orange, Pasta, Pesto, Salmon, Savory

Don’t Miss a Bite!

« Peach Crumb Bars
Caramel Sauce »

Comments

  1. Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says

    August 16, 2012 at 5:47 pm

    I love and waaaant pesto!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Laura says

      August 17, 2012 at 3:44 pm

      I’m kind of new to the whole pesto thing, but it’s definitely one of my new favorite things.

      Reply
  2. Debbie Eccard says

    August 17, 2012 at 2:23 am

    Looks really good!!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Laura says

      August 17, 2012 at 3:43 pm

      Thanks, Debbie!

      Reply
  3. Sydney @ The Crepes of Wrath says

    August 17, 2012 at 1:22 pm

    I’ve had those noodles before and I was really surprised at how much I liked them even though it’s rare that I like any kind of diet food. I bet that the pesto really dressed them up and made them especially delicious.

    Reply
    • Laura says

      August 17, 2012 at 3:42 pm

      The noodles are really excellent, especially when incorporated with sauce or in soup. I’m not sure I’d want to sit down to a plain bowl of them, but they serve their purpose.

      Reply
  4. carrian says

    August 17, 2012 at 3:50 pm

    I adore pesto. ADORE it. Looks delicious!

    Reply
    • Laura says

      August 17, 2012 at 7:08 pm

      Pesto is really tasty, and it can be used in so many different ways, which is nice. Thanks for visiting 🙂

      Reply
  5. ATasteOfMadness says

    August 18, 2012 at 4:24 am

    I have never heard of the Newsroom before. I am totally out of the loop when it comes to TV. But I have heard of pesto, and my goodness, it is one of my favorite things ever. This looks great!!

    Reply
    • Laura says

      August 18, 2012 at 1:56 pm

      I’m a TV junkie. I know way too much about shows I don’t even watch. Pesto is becoming one of my favorite things too. It’s so flavorful.

      Reply
  6. Jessica says

    August 19, 2012 at 11:20 pm

    This looks and sounds fantastic – I am totally going to try my hand at this recipe. While I am at it I will also give your show a try 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Laura says

      August 20, 2012 at 3:17 pm

      Thanks, Jessica! Let me know if you make it and how you like it. What’s nice is that it’s soooo easy to make. Let me know if you watch The Newsroom too and if you enjoy it.

      Reply
  7. Linda says

    August 27, 2012 at 12:06 am

    This is the first time I have tried to make Pesto and it was wonderful. I have always loved basil, it’s a staple in my garden yearly, but, now I think I will add the parsley and garlic, I really liked it.

    Reply
    • Laura says

      August 27, 2012 at 3:20 pm

      I’m so glad you liked the pesto, Linda! It’s one of my new favorite go-to recipes for a quick dinner. And since you grow the basil, I bet it’s even better 🙂

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Weekly Meal Plan: March 28-April 3 | The Spiffy Cookie says:
    March 27, 2016 at 6:01 am

    […] Pesto Pasta – Pies and Plots […]

    Reply
  2. Menu Plan | The Pajama Chef says:
    March 27, 2016 at 9:02 am

    […] Pesto Pasta – Pies and Plots […]

    Reply
  3. Weekly Meal Plan (March 28 - April 3) - Foodtastic Mom says:
    March 28, 2016 at 4:27 pm

    […] Pesto Pasta – Pies and Plots […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Welcome to Pies and Plots. I’m Laura Dembowski, writer, baker, and fashionista sharing recipes, reviews, and tips to inspire you to enjoy life both inside and outside the kitchen.
…Read More

Pre-Order My First Book!

Don’t Miss a Bite!

my foodgawker gallery
TODAY.com Parenting Team FC Contributor

The Latest

Categories

piesandplots

Fashion 👡 👗Florida ☀️🌴 Fiction 🖋📚 Food 🎂🥩
Cause of Death is available now! 🥳
#ootdshare #floridavibes #amwriting #bakersofinstagram

Laura Dembowski
Merry Christmas from my family to yours 🎄 ⛄️❤💚❤

#merrychristmas #christmasvibes #christmastree #christmasdecorations #christmastime #christmasfashion #holidayseason #holidayvibes #holidayspirit #holidayfashion #familytime #familyphotography #familygoals #familyisforever #rcmemories #ritzcarlton #ritzcarltonorlando #ootdshare #ootdfashion #strikeapose #model #floridaholiday #floridachristmas #orlandoinfluencer #orlandofl #thecitybeautiful #tistheseason #tisthedamnseason #blondehairdontcare #lookgoodfeelgood
I'm loving wearing metallics this holiday season 💖💖💖 They bring that Christmas vibe but in a more sophisticated, subtle way. The details for this outfit are on the blog, and I'll have a new post with more gold and silver tomorrow ✨️ 💛 

#ontheblog #linkinprofile #fashiondiaries #fashionista #fashionnova #fashionstyle #ootdshare #christmasvibes #christmastime #christmasfashion #holidayvibes #holidayseason #holidayspirit #metallicdress #golddress #oscardelarenta #blondehairdontcare #cheerstolife #cheersyall #redlipclassic #redlips #floridaholiday #orlandoinfluencer #orlandofl #floridagirl #thecitybeautiful #rcmemories #ritzcarltonorlando #ritzcarlton #happygirl
Currently craving a giant slice of this Espresso V Currently craving a giant slice of this Espresso Vanilla Bean Tiramisu Cake. Then again, when am I not craving it??? This cake has all the flavors of tiramisu and is covered in a drippy glaze that packs a second kick of coffee. So that means it's totally acceptable to eat this for breakfast, right??? ☕😋

#ontheblog #linkinprofile #cakecakecake #tiramisu #tiramisucake #imsomartha #thebakefeed #feedfeed #thekitchn #buzzfeedfood #huffposttaste #todayfood #yahoofood #bonappetit #cakeforbreakfast #breakfastofchampions #grainfree #christmasvibes #christmascake #christmasrecipe #comfortfood #butfirstcoffee #halfbakedharvest #coffeerecipes #coffeecake #glutenfree #vanillabean #tiramisurecipe #holidayrecipe
Champagne and caviar are a classic flavor combinat Champagne and caviar are a classic flavor combination, but they make a pretty awesome and festive fashion combination too. Navy and black dresses, paired with metallic accessories is an elegant yet updated holiday look. These outfit details are on the blog right now! 🥂

#ontheblog #linkinprofile #ootdshare #festivefashion #christmasoutfit #champagneandcaviar #holidayoutfit #christmasvibes #holidayvibes #fashioninspo #styleinspo #lookgoodfeelgood #festiveseason #metallicdress #lbd #lacedress #ladydiorbag #dressup #strikeapose #model #floridachristmas #floridaholidays #sunsetvibes #smize #thecitybeautiful #orlandoinfluencer #blondehairdontcare #cheersyall #merrychristmas
Cookie baking season is upon us 😋 While the cla Cookie baking season is upon us 😋 While the classics are always nice, it can be a lot of fun to play around with new flavor combinations like the ones in these Tahini Cookies studded with crunchy almonds and chewy raisins. Think of them like a peanut butter cookie's more sophisticated older sister 😎 And head over to the blog to snag the recipe 🍪

#ontheblog #linkinprofile #cookiemonster #cookiesofinstagram #cookiestagram #healthycookies #cookiesforbreakfast #tahinicookies #tahinirecipe #tahini #cookieseason #christmascookies #imsomartha #f52grams #foodgawker #huffposttaste #buzzfeedfood #todayfood #yahoofood #bonapetit #cookierecipe #paleocookies #christmasbaking #ambaking #holidaybaking #breakfastcookies #foodfluencer #uniquecookies #almondcookie
Ready to wear all the cozy clothes and festive col Ready to wear all the cozy clothes and festive colors 🎄💚

The details for this outfit are on the blog!

#ontheblog #linkinprofile #ootdshare #ootdfashion #fashionstyle #styleinspo #christmasoutfit #christmasvibes #holidayvibes #sweaterweather #cozyclothes #floridachristmas #floridaholiday #lookgoodfeeltgood #strikeapose #model #orlandoinfluencer #orlandofl #thecitybeautiful #blondehairdontcare #denimskirt #chunkysweater #smize #happygirl #positivevibes #inthespirit #tistheseason #tisthedamnseason #downtownorlando
Load More... Follow on Instagram
  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Pies and Plots · Web Design by Viva la Violet