GREEN PESTO WITH A BITE AND PASTA ENJOY DAN:

PASTA WITH GREEN CHILE CILANTRO PESTO SAUCE by CHEF DAN:

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS:

1 (13.5 Oz) package multigrain angel hair pasta

4 cups lightly packed fresh cilantro leaves

1-1/2-cup parmesan cheese

1 (4 Oz) can chopped green chilies

1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped

3/4-cup fresh chives

1/2-cup roasted almonds

3 cloves garlic, peeled

1/3-cup olive oil

Kosher salt and ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS:

1.   Cook pasta in a large pot of salted water, cook according to package directions.

2.   Drain and reserve 2 cups pasta water.

3.   In food processor, pulse almonds until smooth.

4.   Add cilantro, parmesan cheese, green chilies, jalapeno, garlic and chives.

5.   With processor running, add oil in steady stream until emulsified.

6.   Season with salt and pepper.

7.   Toss pesto with cooked pasta, and reserved cooking water, if

necessary.

ENJOY DAN:       BON-APPETITE