Pasta with Arugula Pesto Recipe

Combine the walnuts garlic arugula and cilantro or basil in a food processor or blender. Whirl them just until they are coarsely chopped. While the machine is running add the olive oil in a thin stream. Transfer the pesto to a bowl. (At this point the pesto can be frozen. Thaw it before proceeding.)

Stir the Parmesan cheese salt and cayenne into the pesto

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook it stirring occasionally until it is just tender. Drain the pasta return it to the empty pot and toss it with the pesto adding a tablespoon or two of water if necessary to distribute the pesto evenly.

Transfer the pasta to a serving bowl or to individual plates garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and serve.