Lunch: Mexican-Style Pesto with Rice or Whole Grain Pasta

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Lemon, Nuts

Health benefits of Mexican-Style Pesto with Rice or Whole Grain Pasta

Lemons can help to prevent oxidative damage to the body, which women with PCOS are often susceptible to. Lemons are also rich in vitamin C, flavonoids, and other antioxidants. They can potentially support the immune system and have other health benefits. Lemons also have a low glycemic index, so they should not cause a rapid rise in blood sugar when consumed in natural form. 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.

Ingredients

About 1/3 cup Parmigiano and Herb-Fortified Stock, recipe follows
3 Fresno chile peppers
1/4 cup pistachio nuts or sliced almonds
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves or fresh flat-leaf parsley, packed
1 cup arugula or other spicy greens, packed
A couple sprigs fresh marjoram or oregano, leaves picked
2 cloves garlic, grated or finely chopped
1 teaspoon cumin, 1/3 palmful
Juice of 1 lime
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
About 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound rice flour, whole grain or whole wheat spaghetti
Grated Manchego cheese, for garnish
Parmigiano and Herb-Fortified Stock
1 large rind trimmed from a hunk of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese or a few small pieces rind perhaps saved-up
Herb bundle of several sprigs each fresh thyme, parsley and rosemary, tied
1 onion, quartered
2 ribs celery, sliced on angle
2 carrots, sliced on angle
Peeled rind of 1 lemon
2 fresh bay leaves
4 cups chicken stock
12 cups (3 quarts) water

Instructions

Set aside or prepare the stock.
Char and blister the chile peppers by placing over a burner, an open flame or under a broiler, and turning until black. Place the charred peppers in a small bowl and cover until cool enough to handle. Peel and seed the peppers and add them to a food processor. Meanwhile, lightly toast nuts and add to the processor bowl. Add the cilantro, spicy greens, marjoram, garlic, cumin, lime juice, a splash of stock, salt, and pepper, then pour in about 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil and pulse the processor to form the pesto sauce. Place in a container, cover, and store in the refrigerator for a make-ahead meal.
To serve, place the pesto in the bottom of a large serving bowl. Heat a large pot of water to a boil for pasta, salt the water and cook pasta to al dente. Just before draining, add a ladle of starchy cooking water to the pesto, drain the pasta and add the hot pasta to the serving bowl and toss 1 to 2 minutes, serve immediately with grated Manchego on top.