Pork and Pasta with Fresh Pesto

The classic taste of pesto sauce brings a fresh taste to this dish. Garlic bread and a salad are the only sides needed to complete this meal.

Recipe Ingredients:

4 boneless pork chops, cut into stir-fry strips
1/4 cup dry sherry
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups lightly packed fresh basil leaves
2 cloves garlic
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
1/2 cup olive oil
6 ounces nested capellini (or angel hair pasta)
3 tablespoons butter
4 cups broccoli florets
1 large onion, cut into thin wedges
1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup pine nuts

Cooking Directions:

1. For marinade, in a small bowl combine sherry, finely chopped onion, 2 tablespoons oil, lemon juice, soy sauce, minced garlic and pepper. Place pork strips in a 1-gallon self-sealing plastic bag; pour marinade over pork strips; seal bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 hours.
2. For pesto, in a blender container combine basil leaves and whole garlic. Cover and blend until finely chopped. Stop the blender several times to scrape the sides. Add Parmesan cheese to basil mixture. Cover and blend until smooth. Add 1/2 cup olive oil, a little at a time, blending well after each addition. Set aside.
3. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain well and keep warm.
4. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, add butter, broccoli and onion and cook and stir for 3 to 4 minutes or until broccoli is crisp-tender.
5. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, cook for 1 minute more. Remove vegetables from skillet.
6. Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in skillet; drain pork strips, discarding marinade, and cook and stir pork for 2 to 3 minutes or until cooked through.
7. Return cooked vegetables to skillet. Add pesto and cooked pasta. Toss until all ingredients are well coated.
8. Spoon pasta mixture onto individual plates. Sprinkle with pine nuts.

Makes 8 servings.

Recipe provided courtesy of National Pork Board.