Pasta e Fagioli with Pesto

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Use fresh, locally grown ingredients for very tasty fare. Pesto adds robust flavor to this one-dish pasta supper.

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  • 8

Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound(s) borlotti (or cranberry) beans
  • 3 cup(s) (loosely packed) basil leaves
  • 5 tablespoon(s) lemon juice
  • 2 clove(s) garlic
  • 3/4 cup(s) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1.25 teaspoon(s) salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon(s) fresh-ground pepper
  • 1/2 cup(s) olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon(s) olive oil
  • 3/4 pound(s) pasta, such as strozzapreti or penne
  • 1 large (13-ounce) sweet onion, sliced 1/4 inch thick
  • 8 ounce(s) green beans, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1/3 cup(s) white wine
  • 8 ounce(s) cherry or grape tomatoes, halved lengthwise

Preparation

Step 1

Cook the dried beans: Place the dried beans in a medium pot and fill with 3 inches of water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Remove from the heat and let sit, covered, for 1 hour. Drain the beans, discard the liquid and return the beans to the pot. Add 3 inches of water and 1 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer until the beans are tender -- about 45 minutes. Strain, reserving the cooking liquid, and keep warm.

Make the pesto: Combine the basil, lemon juice, 1 whole garlic clove, parmesan, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in the bowl of a food processor and puree. Add 1/2 cup olive oil in a slow, steady stream and continue to process for 1 more minute until well pureed. Set aside.

Cook the pasta: Bring 6 quarts of water to a rolling boil over high heat, in a large saucepan. Add 1 tablespoon of coarse salt. Place 3/4 pound of the strozzapreti or penne pasta in the water and cook (maintaining a medium boil) until just al dente -- about 9 minutes. Drain the pasta immediately (do not rinse). Set aside.

Cook the vegetables: Finely chop the remaining garlic clove. Heat remaining olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook until the onions are deep golden brown -- 5 to 7 minutes. Add the green beans and remaining salt and pepper and cook for 1 minute more. Add the wine, borlotti beans, and 1/2 cup of the reserved bean cooking liquid. Cover and cook until beans are warmed and green beans are tender -- 2 to 3 more minutes.

Assemble the dish: Place the pasta in a large serving bowl, add the bean mixture and pesto, and toss. Top with the tomatoes and serve warm.

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