TRENETTE WITH PESTO, POTATOES AND GREEN BEANS

Trenette with Pesto, Potatoes and Green Beans image

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 10

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1 cup packed fresh basil leaves (about 2 bunches)
1/2 cup olive oil (preferably extra-virgin)
6 tablespoons freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese (about 1 ounce)
6 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 1 ounce)
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 medium russet potatoes (about 3/4 pound), peeled, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
6 ounces green beans, trimmed, cut into 3-inch lengths
1 pound trenette
Additional freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese

Steps:

Finely grind basil, oil, 6 tablespoons each Romano and Parmesan cheeses, toasted pine nuts and minced garlic in processor. Season pesto to taste with salt and pepper. (Pesto can be prepared 2 days ahead. Press plastic wrap onto surface of pesto and refrigerate.)
Cook potatoes in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender, about 5 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer potatoes to large bowl. Add green beans to same pot and cook until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer to bowl with potatoes. Cook pasta in same pot until tender but still firm to bite. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Transfer pasta to bowl with potatoes and green beans.
Whisk reserved 1/2 cup cooking liquid into pesto. Add pesto to pasta mixture and toss thoroughly to coat. Transfer pasta to large platter. Serve, passing additional Pecorino Romano separately.