Purple Basil Pesto & Tagliatelle Pasta

Purple Basil Pesto is great dish to create for parties. The eye popping color is festive and healthy for you.

Ingredients:
1 cup of purple basil  or  1/2 head of purple cabbage, chopped

2 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 cup almonds
1/2 cup Virgin Olive Oil
dash of sea salt
dash of pepper
dash of chili flakes
* dash of fresh garlic if you like
1/4  of Parmesan cheese or vegan cheese
Vegetarian: add steamed or sauteed asparagus * purple cauliflower & fresh mushrooms
 * purple eggplant & shallots * purple broccoli  * purple spinach & shallots
Protein: add fresh grill salmon or grilled shrimp

Variations: in Pesto base:
*1/2 cup  unsalted sunflower seeds
* 1/2 cup fresh unsalted cashews  or  * 1/2 cup pine nuts

Blender:
Add basil, garlic, nuts and ingredients to food processor. Blend and add olive oil until the mixture forms a nice smooth paste.

Cook and drain pasta.
Try different shaped pasta like Farfalle, bow tie pasta to create a party atmosphere.
Bucatini pasta is nice as well.  Add vegetables and your favorite protein.
* gluten free pasta, vegan pasta and fiber pastas are great as well to create a delicious alternative version for your families heath.