On Tuesday I had lunch with my sister and parents down in Lahaska Pennsylvania. The reason for us meeting for lunch was to say good bye to our parents because they were leaving the next day to go back home to Florida. (sad face) We met at one of my favorite Italian restaurants Villaggio,located across the street from beautiful Peddler's Village. So of course if I am eating in one of my favorite eating places then I must have a favorite dish there right? Well I do and it is Farfalle Estive. This dish is typically made with a pasta, assortment of vegetables, a protein like chicken or shellfish and this particular recipe it is tossed with a garlicky pesto. I wanted to copy Villaggio's interpretation of this entree, and this for the most part is what they use.
1 1/2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts, seasoned and grilled (I grill mine on our Foreman Grill) and cut into 1 inch bite size pieces.
2 cloves of garlic minced
2 cups of fresh asparagus cut into one inch log pieces. (I really only use the thin asparagus, the thicker spears can be use to make soup.)
8 oz. baby portabella (bella) mushrooms chopped
1/2 cup of sun dried tomatoes, cut jullienne style
One pint of cherry tomatoes, quartered
One 15.5 oz can of cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
Pesto, about 7 ounces and blended with 1/3 cup olive oil (I used Buitoni Pesto with Basil.)
EVOO for sauteing
Fresh basil to garnish
And of course farfalle pasta, about half a box (6 ounces of dry pasta).
Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Then in a large deep sided pan or large pot, saute the garlic in the olive oil being sure not to burn the garlic, for about 4 minutes. Add the asparagus and mushrooms and continue to saute until asparagus softens and mushrooms release their juices. Finally add the beans, meat and the tomatoes, blend with other ingredients, toss mixture with the pasta and pesto until everything is well coated with the pesto. If you need to you can add more EVOO and mix. Season with freshly cracked black pepper and sea salt. I also like to toss in some fresh basil to garnish and flavor the dish. Serve warm or at room temperature.
This is sooo yummy and does go a long way. Serves about 6 good sized portions.
Ciao 4 now and have a great day!!!
XO
Linking this post to parties at these wonderful blogs...
Love Peddlers' Village and love this dish, sounds delicious. I think I may have eaten at Villagio a few years back, is it in Penn's Purchase? I remember having a delicious wrap at a place across the way. xo
ReplyDeleteThat looks so good. I am Italian and love all Italian food, especially the pastries. Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend.
ReplyDelete