Thanks to my blogging friend Donna of Spatulas, Corkscrews and Spatulas, I am now a member of Barefoot Bloggers. Barefoot Bloggers are dedicated to cook up Ina Garten recipes and post them onto their blogs every second Thursday of the month. The recipes will be chosen by members of the group in the order that they joined the group. At first I wasn’t sure whether I should participate in yet another food blogging event, but this would be a good opportunity to try out some of Ina Garten’s recipes.
For this week’s recipe, Elizabeth of Ugg Smell Food chose Ina Garten’s Pasta, Pesto and Peas from Barefoot Contessa Parties! page 98 . I knew by reading the list of ingredients that my family would like this recipe although I would have to make a few modifications as we are not really pasta salad fans.
I increased the quantity of the spinach, pine nuts and Parmesan cheese. Instead of using 1 1/2 cups of mayonnaise, I halved the quantity and added 1/2 cup of olive oil. We ate the Pasta, Pesto and Peas salad as a side dish and everyone loved the combined flavours of the ingredients. But then again, these are ingredients I use often in my cooking (except for the mayonnaise). I liked the way the spinach clung to the grooves of the fusilli. The rest of the pasta salad was used for school lunches the next day. I made sure I stashed some away for my own lunch. Will I make the Pasta, Pesto and Peas salad again? Definitely. It was delicious and a perfect dish for summer and especially for entertaining.
Thanks Elizabeth for choosing such a delicious recipe. In two weeks we will be cooking up Parmesan Chicken chosen by Megan of My Baking Adventures from Barefoot Contessa Family Style page 82.
Pasta, Pesto and Peas is now being served at Barefoot Bloggers.
Another great dish! Your pasta looks wonderful and I like the changes you made. Yum!
Great job on an easy, versatile dish. I wonder if anyone actually used all the mayo!
Gorgeous photo! I bumped up the spinach, too. Made me feel less guilty about all the olive oil. 😉
Looks great!
WOW! Yours came out great too!
I thought mine had too much spinach, but I guess too much of a good thing is simply wonderful!
And I did use all the mayo. Hubby’s favorite!
Your picture is perfect! I do wonder if anyone followed it exactly…hmmm…
Your picture turned out great and it looks beautiful. I like the way the extra spinach gave such a nice color.
Your pasta looks great! Very delicious! yum!
what a gorgeous pasta combination!! i love it!
Beautiful picture, looks delicious!
Great pasta, lovely photo.
I love anything from Ina! Nice job!