Penne Pasta with Fresh Pesto & Blistered Cherry Tomatoes

I am introducing these new Online Zoom classes for your gourmet Mini Chefs during these Social Distancing times!

These interactive classes will encourage your child to learn about food ingredients and to explore new flavours in an educational and fun way. 

During the class we will cover 1 key recipe using quality ingredients.  We will informally discuss aspects of nutrition, food science, seasonality and where ingredients originate from where applicable.

This key recipe will be utilising 1 or more essential cooking skill. In this Class your children will be taught how to make authentic Ligurian Pesto.We will be primarily learning through taste so children can adapt their recipes according to a dislike or intolerance although I will be teaching the traditional method. Children are free to use alternative ingredients ie parsley instead of basil or almonds instead of pinenuts if this is what is available in the house! They will then be taught how to cook their pasta to perfection! Penne is a perfect match for pesto as holds the sauce well but if unavailable any dreid pasta will do!

As tomatoes are now coming into season the children can also blister these and add to the final dish!

These are the ingredients you will require for the recipe to serve 4 people:

For the fresh Pesto (makes 1 Jar)

2 tbsp pine nuts (you may pre toast if you wish)

1 pot/large bunch fresh basil leaves

1-2 cloves garlic

 25g Parmesan  

25g Pecorino  

300ml extra virgin olive oil

Salt & Pepper

For the Penne

300g  Dried Penne or alternative pasta (75g per person

2 tsp salt

To serve

300g cherry tomatoes (optional)

extra Parmesan and few springs basil to garnish

Alternatively If you live locally you can pick up all measured ingredients from MY RAINBOW KITCHEN for an additional cost of 10 pounds

This is the equipment you require for the recipe:

• Shallow baking tray (to toast nuts) for oven*
• Small knife*
• Fine grater or microplane for grating cheese*
• Pestle & mortar or food processor*
• Weighing scales 
• Measuring spoons
• Measuring jug
• Spatula
• Mixing bowl
• Mixing spoon 
• Teaspoon
• Jar for excess pesto
• Pot for boiling water (or may use kettle) and cooking pasta*
• Colander for draining pasta
• Bowl for pasta water 
• Ladle
• Pasta serving spoon (if you have)

* Use of these item may require adult supervision depending on age and maturity of child

SAFETY NOTICE:

If your child is under 10 years old, I recommend a parent or guardian is present to supervise the child. You should assess your childs cooking ability and the recipe covered and decide whether you need to be present on the zoom or not. Any recipe requiring heat (ie oven hob) or sharp utentsil or equipment (ie knives, graters) carry a risk of accidental injury. These will usually be stated beforehand if required.