Avocado Caprese Pasta with Grilled Broccoli Rabe

(from castro15’s recipe box)

Categories: Grilling

Ingredients

  • 1 pound short cut pasta
  • 1 large bunch broccoli rabe
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • salt + pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup homemade or store bought pesto
  • 8 ounces buffalo mozzarella or fresh mozzarella balls
  • 1 cup heirloom cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil
  • 1-2 heirloom tomatoes, quartered or sliced
  • 2 ripe avocados, sliced
  • 4 ounces fresh prosciutto
  • white balsamic vinegar, for drizzling
  • olive oil, for drizzling
  • Homemade Pesto
  • 2 cups fresh basil
  • 1 cup fresh arugula
  • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped or grated
  • 1/3 cup roasted cashews (almonds, pistachios, walnuts or pine nuts work too)
  • 1/3 cup fresh parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

  1. Heat a grill, grill pan or skillet to medium high heat. Toss the broccoli rabe with olive oil, salt + pepper making sure all the broccoli rabe is evenly coated in olive oil. Place the broccoli rabe on the hot grill and cook for 2-3 minutes per side or until the broccoli rabe is lightly charred. Remove from the heat and place on a plate. Chop into 1 inch pieces.

  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil the pasta until al dente. Drain.

  3. Add the hot pasta to a large serving bowl and toss with the pesto, mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, basil and grilled broccoli rabe until well combined. Add the larger heirloom tomatoes and gently toss once more. Arrange the avocado and prosciutto on top. Sprinkle the pasta with salt + pepper to taste.

  4. Divide the pasta among bowls or plates, serve with balsamic and olive oil. EAT!

  5. !Homemade Pesto

  6. Finely chop the basil and arugula, add it to a medium size bowl. Chop the cashews and finely mince or grate the garlic, add them to the bowl with the basil and arugula. Add the parmesan and a pinch of salt + pepper. Pour in the olive oil. Using a fork mix well and then sort of mash all the ingredients together with the fork. If desired add more olive oil until your desired consistency is reached.

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