Lunch: Pea Pesto Pasta Salad

Recipe by Kelly Senyei Skip the store-bought salads in favor of a 30-minute recipe for creamy pea pesto pasta salad with tomatoes and mozzarella.

This recipe includes fertility superfoods such as:

Nuts, Walnuts, Basil

Health and fertility benefits of Pea Pesto Pasta Salad

Nuts are a natural source of Inositol, a derivative of Vitamin B (which is often prescribed in the form of supplements for women with PCOS). Inositol can effectively control the symptoms of PCOS by reducing insulin resistance and improving insulin sensitivity. Walnuts are low on the glycemic index. What’s more, they also lower the glycemic index of other foods that you eat in conjunction with these nuts. Any kind of nuts provide a healthy source of fat and a great way to encourage PCOS weight loss. Basil is an excellent stress reliever, and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups frozen peas, defrosted and divided
2 cups lightly packed basil leaves
1 cup lightly packed mint leaves
1/3 cup unsalted walnuts, toasted
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
3 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
1/2 cup olive oil
1 pound bowtie pasta
20 cherry tomatoes, halved
12 mini mozzarella balls, halved

Instructions

In a blender, combine 1 cup peas with the basil leaves, mint leaves, toasted walnuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Blend for 15 seconds then with the blender running, slowly stream in the olive oil. Continue blending the pesto, scraping down the sides as needed, until it is puréed. Taste and season the pesto with additional salt and pepper as desired. Set the pesto aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook it until it is al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain the pasta and transfer it to a large bowl. While the pasta is still hot, add the prepared pesto and toss to combine then stir in the remaining 1/2 cup peas, cherry tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. Serve the pasta salad garnished with Parmesan cheese.
Kelly's Note: This pasta salad can be served warm, at room temperature or chilled.

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