Pesto Pasta with Sweet Ricotta

Adapted from Rachael Ray's Magazine

Penne pasta
Pesto (I used Trader Joe's)
Fresh Spinach
Walnuts
Chicken (optional)
Ricotta cheese
Honey
Black pepper

1. Toast the walnuts in a skillet.
2. Blend pesto, fresh spinach, and walnuts in a blender. Add some olive oil if necessary.
3. Toss blended pesto with cooked pasta and chicken.
4. In a small bowl, mix 1 cup of ricotta cheese with 1 Tbsp. honey. Season with black pepper.
5. Serve pasta with dollops of ricotta cheese mixture.

Notes: The pasta itself was a little bland (I think I diluted the pesto by adding the spinach), but the sweet ricotta made up for it.

Original recipe: www.rachaelraymag.com/recipes/rachael-ray-magazine-recipes/rachael-ray-30-minute-meals/Whole-Wheat-Penne-with-Pesto-and-Ricotta

Try #2 - July 3, 2010 - Omit walnuts and chicken
1. Toss pesto with cooked pasta. Add spinach and olive oil if necessary.
2. In a small bowl, mix 1 cup ricotta with 1 Tbsp honey. Season with black pepper.
3. Serve pasta with dollops of ricotta cheese mixture.