Summer Recipe: Balsamic Pesto Pasta

From contributor Aine Davis

I am madly, truly, deeply in love with Italian food. After visiting Italy a few summers ago, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about all of the rich and flavourful foods I devoured abroad.

I recently whipped up this dish for a romantic evening with my “fidanzato” and the results were to die for. Use my following recipe for a hearty dish that takes only 15 minutes to make:

Ingredients…

• 1 box rice pasta
• 4 cups fresh basil
• 1 cup fresh arugula
• 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 large head of garlic (roughly 10 cloves)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

Directions 

1. Boil water in large pot on stovetop.
2. Place basil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt, and red pepper flakes in blender or food processor. Combine until smooth.
3. Following box’s instructions, cook pasta accordingly. Drain, then mix thoroughly with pesto.

Serve immediately on a bed of arugula. Makes 4 large portions.

Bellisimo!