Pesto Pasta with Quorn Vegan Chik'n Tenders
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Recipe type: Easy Weeknight Meals
Cuisine: italian
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients
  • 4 ounces pesto (fresh or frozen)
  • 1-2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 spring Vidalia onion, chopped
  • 1 pint organic cherry or grape tomatoes, halved pole to pole
  • 1 10.58 ounce package Quorn Vegan Chik'n Tenders, frozen
  • ½ cup dry white wine
  • 1 lb. box of gemelli or fusilli
  • ⅓ cup pine nuts, toasted
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
  1. If you are using frozen pesto, thaw the jar or container in hot water.
  2. Heat a large skillet, add the olive oil and sauté the chopped onion.
  3. While the onions are cooking, fill a large pot with water, cover and bring it to a rolling boil.
  4. When the onions are soft and translucent, add the cherry tomatoes and cook for five minutes until they are softened. Add the frozen Quorn Chik'n Tenders, let cook for about two minutes, and then stir in the white wine.
  5. Add 2 tablespoons of salt to the boiling pasta water and add the pasta.
  6. The pasta and the Quorn Chik'n Tenders will take right about the same amount of time to cook at this point (about 12 minutes). While they are cooking, stir occasionally, and toast your pine nuts in a dry skillet until golden brown. Watch them carefully so that they don't burn - they are too expensive (and too delicious) to waste!
  7. Taste the pasta and make sure that it is al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water and drain the pasta into a colander.
  8. Taste the Quorn Chik'n Tenders to make sure they are done, and season with some sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  9. Dump the drained pasta into the skillet with the Quorn Chik'n Tenders (or put everything into the pasta pot - I don't know the size of your pots and pans!)
  10. Add the thawed pesto and some of the reserved pasta water. Stir until the pesto is completely incorporated and taste for seasoning.
  11. Top each serving with toasted pine nuts.
  12. If you're not trying to make this dish vegan, you can sprinkle your pasta with freshly grated Parmesan - but why not give it a try without the cheese!
Notes
© 2017 Nancy Olah
All Rights Reserved
Recipe by Fool a Carnivore at https://foolacarnivore.com/pesto-pasta-with-quorns-new-vegan-chikn-tenders/