Name: Penne w/ Hazelnut Pesto                      Serves:   4-6

Category:                      Cuisine:                    Source:

Ingredients:


PENNE WITH SPICY GOAT CHEESE AND HAZELNUT PESTO

2 cups fresh basil leaves, washed and spun dry
2 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon hot chili flakes
1/4 cup hazelnuts
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
Salt
1/4 cup fresh soft goat cheese, preferably Coach Farm at room temperature
8 ounces penne pasta, dry

Place the washed basil leaves, garlic, hot chilis and hazelnuts in a food
processor and pulse three times to start the chopping process. Turn the
machine on and drizzle oil in a thin stream until all the oil is incorporated.
Season with salt and pour into 12" to 14" saute pan. Whisk goat cheese into
pesto until smooth and homogenous and set aside. Cook penne according to
package instructions
and drain over sink into colander. Toss penne into pest o mixture and stir
over very low heat 1
minute until thoroughly coated. Pour into warm serving dish and serve.

Yield: 4 servings as appetizer pasta course