Pasta With Herbed Ricotta And Pine Nuts

Ingredients

30 gr pasta
9 gr softened margarine
70 gr pine nuts
1 onion
90 gr ricotta cheese
1 gr parsley
2 gr tarragon
5 ml lemon juice
1 gr lemon rind
1 gr pepper
1 gr pepper

Instructions

GARNISH: halved cherry tomatoes, parsley sprigs, sweet red pepper strips, steamed asparagus spears, or sauteed mushroom caps dusted with paprika. Boil a large pot of warer; cook pasta until al dente. While pasta is cooking, in a small skillet, melt margarine. Add pine nuts and onion, stirring occasionally over medium heat for about 5 minutes, until pine nuts are lightly browned and onion is softened. Set aside. In a small bowl, beat cheese with remaining ingredients. Stir in pine nuts and onion. When pasta is done, drain well; toss with sauce. Top with freshly ground pepper and garnishes. VARIATIONS: substitute raw cashews for pine nuts ~ substitute basil for tarragon ~ add half c chopped, cooked spinach to ricotta-sauce mixture