Avocado Pesto Linguine

January is always a time to eat healthy, go for a diet, start exercising again, and start picking up on all those things you've got too tired of keeping up with to keep in good shape at the end of a year.

It looks similar to the earlier pasta entry - Spaghetti with Herb Sauce, but includes more interesting ingredients like avocado and lemon juice.

This is a recipe from Waitrose. It takes less than 30mins to prepare, and gives you all the nutrition you need to feel and be healthy.

Spaghetti with Herb Sauce

*Serves 4*
This is a tried and tested recipe. Simple as it may be, it has a very aromatic sauce that gives a wholesome taste. It is good to go with a light salad.

Ingredients:

1. 50g chopped fresh mixed herbs (e.g. parsley, basil & thyme)
2. 2 garlic cloves (slightly bruised & take skin away)
3. 4 tbsp pine nuts (toasted)
4. 150ml olive oil
5. 350g spaghetti or linguine
6. 4 tbsp grated parmesan cheese (or edam cheese)
7. salt and ground black pepper
8. basil leaves to garnish

Method:

1. Put chopped herbs, garlic and half the pine nuts into a blender or food processor. With the machine running slowly, add the oil and process to form a thick purée.
   
2. Cook the pasta in plenty of boiling water (with some salt) until al dente. Just before draining take approximately 4 tsbp of the cooking water to add to the herb purée. Add more to lighten the thick purée.
3. Bring the herb purée into a mixing bowl, then add the pasta and parmesan. Toss well to coat with the sauce. Sprinkle over the remaining pine nuts and basil leaves, then serve immediately.