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Pesto Pasta Salad with Roasted Tomatoes and Asparagus

July 2, 2013 by Mariel Goodson 12 Comments

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Pesto Pasta Salad_optMariel here. We are on the cusp of my son’s first birthday so we celebrated with a [backyard] bash this past weekend. Backyard is parenthetical since it rained 15 minutes before go-time. Anyway, I expected to feel a lot of different things leading up to this milestone – happiness, anticipation, relief, excitement – but sadness wasn’t one I had planned for. In fact, during all those sleepless newborn nights and panicked “Why won’t he stop crying?!” outbursts, I had prayed for this day to come.

In my head, making it to his first birthday meant that I had survived the unpredictable ups and downs of infancy (seasoned moms, feel free to laugh at the idiot). There was the initial terror of realizing I’m responsible for the survival of another human being; a mourning period over the loss of my former life and all that lazy-day freedom I had taken for granted; excitement and a previously unbeknownst limitless supply of joy at watching my son become his own person (even if that person sometimes scares me with his stubbornness); and heaps of gratitude. I’ve experienced a new appreciation for my own mom who taught me how to be a mom and continues to teach me every. single. day. I’m grateful for the close bonds I’ve forged with other seasick moms who are also navigating the same choppy waters. And I’m grateful for my husband, since he’s the level-headed, steady-handed one in our funky bunch.

But back to the birthday blues, since I still haven’t quite put my finger on what’s bugging me. The obvious answer is that he’s getting older and that’s got me down, but the truth is, I didn’t really love those early newborn days. If I’m being completely honest, that black hole of endless need really rocked my world. I felt lost. And alone. And at times I wondered if I was cut out for this whole messy business of motherhood. I much prefer this age: he can entertain himself, he can Ghadafi-style dictate wants (and demands), and his remarkably witty little personality is constantly on display. Just ask him how big he is. He is SO big. And then he gives himself a round of applause.

So although I’m not sure what’s got my goat, I didn’t let it get in the way of throwing down for my little man’s big day.

My son has developed a pretty decent palate, so I decided to whip up a few of his “faves.” How do I know they’re his faves? Because he greets each mouthful with a resounding “Mmmm” and then shovels it in so fast I fear he’ll choke. Or puke. Which he’s done. So yes, the following Pesto Pasta Salad is one such dish. I also made Pineapple Pulled Pork and Peach-Mint Caprese, which was a gamble since peaches are notoriously tough to ripen, but one that paid off so I plan to post my tips later on.

If anyone is still reading this rant, I’d be curious to hear from other moms out there who experienced the same sense of sadness at the first birthday… Or maybe it’s just me. Wouldn’t be the first time.

Print This Recipe Print This Recipe

Pesto Pasta Salad with Roasted Tomatoes and Asparagus
Serves 10-12 as a side

Ingredients:
2 pints grape tomatoes – $4.00
1 teaspoon brown sugar – stock
Pinch of kosher salt – stock
Freshly ground black pepper – stock
2 Tablespoons olive oil, divided – stock
A big bunch of thin asparagus – $3.99
1 lb Farfalle -$2.19
Âľ-cup pesto (homemade or store-bought) – $3.99
1 to 2 Tablespoons reserved pasta water – stock
Grand total assuming well-stocked kitchen: $14.17
Cost per serving: $1.18

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with tinfoil.

2. In a large bowl, toss the grape tomatoes (whole) with brown sugar, a dash of salt, black pepper and 1 Tablespoon olive oil, coating well. Roast at 375 for 20 minutes or until very soft and the tomatoes start to deflate. Set aside.

3. Line another baking sheet with tinfoil. Preheat the broiler. Trim the asparagus ends and toss with 1 Tablespoon olive oil, a dash of salt and pepper. Broil for 5-10 minutes, shaking the baking sheet every 2 minutes or so. NOTE: My broiler can be set to medium, but it’s important to keep checking the asparagus so they don’t burn. You want the asparagus to have a bit of a char at the tips and the stems to soften and start turning a little golden. Set aside.

4. Cook the pasta in unsalted water according to package directions. Reserve 2 Tablespoons of pasta water and strain the rest in a colander. Return the cooked pasta to the pot and stir in the pesto, adding some of the pasta water if it needs to be thinned a bit. Gently toss in the roasted tomatoes and asparagus, adjust seasonings. Serve hot or chill and serve cold.

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Filed Under: Entrees, Last-Minute Meals, Pasta, Recipe Index, Recipes Under $20, Salads, Side Dishes, Super Sundays, Vegetarian Tagged With: cooking, dinner, epicurious, family, food, july 4th, kid-friendly, Pasta, recipes, Recipes Under $20, salad

About Mariel Goodson

The daughter in this mother-daughter duo, Mariel is the co-founder of Brass Hill Design and a former magazine writer who has contributed to Martha Stewart Living, Better Homes & Gardens, SELF, Redbook and Good Housekeeping, among many others.

Comments

  1. Rhonda says

    July 3, 2013 at 2:01 am

    1 year already? It hardly seems that long ago that you were leaving comments on how this or that looked delicious but you couldn’t eat it because you were expecting. And then there you were sharing those early days with us, 1 year, I can’t believe. And yes, I totally understand the sadness, it’s the same sadness when they start school, have their first overnighter…elsewhere, learn to drive, graduate, leave home… but the joys in-between are totally worth it.

    Reply
  2. Barbara | Creative Culinary says

    July 3, 2013 at 9:14 am

    I don’t remember that feeling on my daughter’s first birthday but I do recall moments of melancholy that came with those same moments of joy at a milestone. I still feel them and mine are 29 and 33!

    I love this salad…perfect flavors and just beautiful to boot!

    Reply
  3. Jess says

    July 4, 2013 at 3:15 am

    Mariel – I loved this heartfelt and very real tribute to your son and motherhood. Happy birthday to him!

    Reply
  4. Nutmeg Nanny says

    July 5, 2013 at 11:35 pm

    Oh wow! This is everything I love tossed into one beautiful dish 🙂 it’s got my name written all over it!

    Reply
  5. marybeth Martorana says

    March 20, 2014 at 12:51 pm

    Beautifully Said…I have 5 children all over the age of 11 now so its been a while now but I do remember those moments of motherhood in the beginning and all through their different milestones – Its been a blessing raising them .. (My oldest’s name is Mariel)…

    I love pesto so im def. going to try this salad … Thanks!

    God Bless You!…

    Reply
  6. Luanne says

    July 6, 2015 at 2:08 pm

    This was very good. I made it for the 4th picnic and everyone loved it. I did fancy it up with shaved Parmesan, toasted pine nuts and fresh basil but it was good as written and less work and expense.

    Reply
    • Mariel Goodson says

      July 6, 2015 at 7:20 pm

      Sounds delicious! I love the fancy changes you made 🙂

      Reply

Trackbacks

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