Stir-Fried Pasta and Broccoli Rabe with Miso Pesto Recipe

Stir-Fried Pasta and Broccoli Rabe with Miso Pesto

Serves 8

30 minutes or fewer

30 minutes or fewer Miso adds an interesting dimension to the nontraditional fusion pesto. The pairing of broccoli rabe and orecchiette pastaorecchiette means little ear and aptly describes these small, round shapesis popular in Italys Puglia region, but any small pasta can be used. If you cant find broccoli rabe, substitute small broccoli florets, chard or spinach. To up the protein, add a cup of cooked cannellini beans.

1 lb. orecchiette, cooked al dente
3 cloves garlic
¼ cup pine nuts
¼ tsp. salt, or more to taste
4 cups fresh basil leaves
3 Tbs. white miso
¼ cup olive oil
1 lb. broccoli rabe, chopped and blanched
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving about 1/2 cup cooking water, and rinse. Set aside.
Put garlic, pine nuts and salt in food processor, and chop. Add basil, and process until minced. Add miso, and process until combined. With machine running, slowly stream in 3 Tbs. olive oil, and process until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
Heat remaining 1 Tbs. oil in large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add broccoli rabe, and season with salt and pepper. Stir-fry until tender, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low.
Add pasta, reserved pesto and pasta cooking water. Stir-fry until well combined and heated through. Serve hot.

April 2005