Mushroom Pesto Pasta

Step 1

Add the spinach, basil, pine nuts, grated vegetarian parmesan and minced garlic to a food processor and blend until everything is roughly blended.With the food processor running slowly pour the extra virgin olive oil into the processor. Once the oil has been incorporated stop blitzing.Add the lemon juice, salt and pepper then blitz one more time very briefly. Set aside until you are ready to use it.

Step 2

Melt about a third of the butter in a large frying pan, add half the mushrooms. Cook over medium heat until browned, flip the mushrooms using the pan. Once the mushrooms are brown transfer them to a bowl. Repeat with the remaining mushrooms.Once all the mushrooms are cooked return the mushrooms in the bowl to the pan along with 2 cloves of minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme leaves and a pinch of salt and black pepper.Toss the pan once or twice until the garlic is cooked, this should only take a minute or two.

Step 3

Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions.Drain the pasta.

Step 4

Add the pesto to the pasta and toss well.Next, add the sundried tomatoes and toss carefully.Serve the pasta in bowls, top with the mushrooms, some grated vegetarian parmesan, some extra pine nuts and some freshly cracked black pepper. Finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil if you wish.