Pasta with Roasted Beets, Bleu Cheese and Walnut Sauce

Several years ago I made a similar recipe using these same ingredients, but I could not find that original anywhere.

I used rotini pasta for this dish, because that is all I had on hand.

1 small (15 oz) can quartered beets, rinsed and very well drained
olive oil, divided
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 t dried basil, rubbed, plus extra for serving
2 T balsamic vinegar (I used raspberry blush)
3 oz bleu cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 cups pasta (I used rotini)
freshly grated parmesan for serving
Preheat oven to 400°.

Spread beets on a baking pan and drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Roast just til sizzling. Remove from oven and set aside.http://media-files.gather.com/images/d151/d367/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg
Meanwhile, heat a large saucepan drizzled with a little olive oil over medium heat. Add the walnuts and toss til they are lightly toasted, about 5 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove walnuts. To walnut oil in pan, whisk in vinegar, basil and additional salt. Bring to a quick simmer. Whisk in cheese and cream, mixing til cheese is melted and mixture is smooth. Stir in walnuts.

Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and return to cook pot to keep warm. Toss pasta with walnut sauce. Fold in beets.

I served this with parmesan and an additional pinch of basil.http://media-files.gather.com/images/d149/d367/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

~Big Al's~ Subs

Image
 I was inspired by this article from my sister Rob, who explains who Big Al is and what he has meant to legions of hungry people in a small town: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977272353&nav=Namespace What makes Big Al's subs better than any others that I have tried are the buns. He uses the same dough recipe as he does for the pizza. This is what I have tried to recreate here. I also made the sub sauce, which is near world famous. I don't think anyone who orders a sub from Big Al's does not also get a side of the sauce. (Well, other than me, but Matt likes it, so of course I had to make it). This is my version of the Big Al's Special complete with sub sauce. Homemade Sub Buns (recipe follows) Capicola Genoa Salami Provolone Cheese Lettuce, tomato and onion Pepperoncini (optional. They aren't authentic to an Al's) Al's Sub Sauce (recipe follows) Homemade Sub Buns I use this pizza dough recipe, which I really like:
Read more

Magic Cookie Bars Recipe

Image
One of my favorite cookie bars of all! 1/2 cup butter, melted 1 1/2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed Milk 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips 1 1/3 cups flaked sweetened coconut 1 cup chopped walnuts Preheat oven to 350°. Coat 13x9" baking pan with non stick cooking spray. Combine vanilla wafer crumbs and butter. Press into bottom of prepared pan. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over crumb mixture. Layer evenly with chocolate chips, coconut and nuts. Press down firmly with a spatula. Bake 25 minutes or til lightly browned. Cool. Cut into bars.
Read more

Mario Batali's Pasta with Roasted Cauliflower

Image
This pasta was absolutely fantastic! 1/2 head cauliflower, broken into florets olive oil, divided salt and freshly ground black pepper 3 garlic cloves, minced 2 anchovies 1 small (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes 2 cups hot cooked pasta (I used cavatappi) 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan chopped fresh parsley leaves pinch saffron 1 T pine nuts, lightly toasted Preheat oven to 350°. Place cauliflower on a large baking pan and drizzle with a little olive oil and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Roast for about 15-20 minutes or til lightly golden. Remove and set aside. In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Cook garlic for a few seconds; mix in anchovies, tomato and garlic. Stir til the anchovies dissolve, about 5 minutes. Toss hot pasta with cauliflower, anchovie mixture, parsley, Parmesan, parsley and saffron. Taste and adjust as desired. Stir in pine nuts and serve immediately. I served the pasta with grilled Texas toast.
Read more