Pasta With Shrimp And Cilantro-lime Pesto

Total Time: 30 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1 1/4 cups packed fresh cilantro, plus 1/4 cup chopped
• 1/4 cup scant green onion, chopped
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 2 garlic cloves, pressed
• 1 tablespoon jalapeno, chopped and seeded
• 1/2 cup plus 1 tb olive oil
• 1 lb linguine
• 1 lb uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 tablespoons tequila
• 1/4 cup cotija cheese (or feta)

Recipe

• 1 blend 1 1/4 cups cilantro leaves and next 4 ingredients in processor until coarse puree forms. with machine running, gradually add 1/2 cup oil. season generously with salt. (pesto can be made 1 day ahead. cover and chill).
• 2 cook linguine in large pot of boiling salted water until tender, but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. drain.
• 3 meanwhile, heat remaining 1 tb oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. add shrimp and cook until almost opaque in center, about 3 minutes. remove skillet from heat; add tequila. return skillet to heat and stir until sauce is syrupy, about 30 seconds. add pesto; stir to coat. remove from heat.
• 4 add pasta to sauce in skillet; toss to coat. season with salt and pepper. divide pasta and shrimp among 4 plates. sprinkle cotija cheese and chopped cilantro over and serve.