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Three Pesto Recipes

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5 recipes
vegetariangluten-freenut-free

Originating from the Liguria region of Italy, Basil Pesto has roots in the 19th century, traditionally made with a mortar and pestle. This vibrant sauce is a staple in Italian cuisine, often served with pasta or as a spread. Today, pesto has gained global popularity, inspiring countless variations with different herbs and nuts.

Ingredients

  • fresh basil leaves
  • pine nuts
  • garlic
  • Parmesan cheese
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • lemon juice
  • salt

Instructions

  1. 1Combine fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, and garlic in a food processor.
  2. 2Pulse until finely chopped, scraping down the sides as needed.
  3. 3Add Parmesan cheese and lemon juice, then pulse to combine.
  4. 4With the processor running, slowly drizzle in extra virgin olive oil until smooth.
  5. 5Season with salt to taste and pulse briefly to mix.
  6. 6Transfer to a jar and drizzle a thin layer of olive oil on top to preserve.

Ingredient Alternatives

pine nuts

Healthier: walnuts

Cheaper: sunflower seeds

Walnuts are more affordable and provide a similar texture.

Parmesan cheese

Healthier: nutritional yeast

Cheaper: Grana Padano

Nutritional yeast is dairy-free and lower in calories.

Techniques

blendingemulsifying

Equipment

food processorjarspatula
🌶️🌶️🌶️Lownutsdairy

Also Known As

Pesto alla Genovese
vegetariangluten-freenut-free

Ingredients

  • 2 cups fresh cilantro leaves
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/3 cup walnuts
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

  1. 1In a food processor, combine the cilantro leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, walnuts, garlic, salt, and black pepper.
  2. 2Pulse the mixture until finely chopped.
  3. 3With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
  4. 4Add the lemon juice and pulse a few more times to combine.
  5. 5Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more salt or lemon juice as desired.
  6. 6Transfer the pesto to a jar or airtight container.
  7. 7Store in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze for longer storage.

Equipment

food processorjarspatula
vegetariangluten-freenut-free

Pesto originated in the Liguria region of Italy, where it was traditionally made with basil, garlic, pine nuts, and olive oil. The vibrant green sauce is a staple in Italian cuisine, often served with pasta or as a spread. Spinach pesto is a delightful variation that adds a nutritious twist, making it popular among health-conscious cooks. Today, pesto has gained global popularity, with many variations using different herbs and nuts.

Ingredients

  • fresh spinach
  • basil leaves
  • garlic
  • pine nuts
  • parmesan cheese
  • olive oil
  • lemon juice
  • salt
  • black pepper

Instructions

  1. 1Wash the spinach and basil leaves thoroughly.
  2. 2Peel and roughly chop the garlic cloves.
  3. 3Toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. 4In a food processor, combine the spinach, basil, garlic, and pine nuts.
  5. 5Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped.
  6. 6With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
  7. 7Add the lemon juice, salt, and black pepper, and pulse again to combine.
  8. 8Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
  9. 9Transfer the pesto to a jar or container for storage.

Ingredient Alternatives

pine nuts

Healthier: walnuts

Cheaper: sunflower seeds

Sunflower seeds are more affordable and provide a nutty flavor.

parmesan cheese

Healthier: nutritional yeast

Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast is lower in calories and dairy-free.

Techniques

blendingtoasting

Equipment

food processorskilletjar
🌶️🌶️🌶️Lowtree-nutsmilk

Also Known As

Spinach Basil PestoGreen Pesto
vegetariangluten-freenut-free

Originating from the Italian region of Liguria, pesto traditionally features basil, but arugula adds a peppery twist. This vibrant sauce is often used with pasta, sandwiches, or as a dip, showcasing the versatility of fresh greens. Today, arugula pesto is embraced globally, appealing to those seeking a unique flavor profile in their dishes.

Ingredients

  • arugula
  • pine nuts
  • Parmesan cheese
  • garlic
  • olive oil
  • lemon juice
  • salt
  • black pepper

Instructions

  1. 1Wash arugula thoroughly and dry it.
  2. 2Toast pine nuts in a skillet over medium heat until golden, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. 3Combine arugula, toasted pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and garlic in a food processor.
  4. 4Pulse until coarsely chopped.
  5. 5With the processor running, slowly drizzle in olive oil until smooth.
  6. 6Add lemon juice, salt, and black pepper, and pulse to combine.
  7. 7Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Ingredient Alternatives

pine nuts

Healthier: walnuts

Cheaper: sunflower seeds

Walnuts are more affordable and provide a similar texture.

Parmesan cheese

Healthier: nutritional yeast

Cheaper: Pecorino Romano

Nutritional yeast is dairy-free and lower in calories.

Techniques

blendingtoasting

Equipment

food processorskillet
🌶️🌶️🌶️Lownutsdairy

Also Known As

Rocket Pesto
vegetariangluten-freenut-free

Originating from Genoa, Italy, Classic Basil Pesto is a vibrant green sauce made from fresh basil, garlic, nuts, and cheese, traditionally served with pasta. This sauce captures the essence of Italian cuisine, celebrating fresh ingredients and simplicity. Today, pesto has transcended its regional roots, inspiring variations worldwide, from sun-dried tomato pesto to vegan adaptations.

Ingredients

  • fresh basil
  • pine nuts
  • garlic
  • parmesan cheese
  • olive oil
  • salt
  • black pepper

Instructions

  1. 1Wash and dry the fresh basil leaves thoroughly.
  2. 2In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, pine nuts, and garlic.
  3. 3Pulse the mixture until finely chopped.
  4. 4With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until emulsified.
  5. 5Add the grated parmesan cheese and pulse until combined.
  6. 6Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  7. 7Transfer the pesto to a jar or container and cover with a thin layer of olive oil to prevent browning.
  8. 8Store in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze for longer storage.

Ingredient Alternatives

pine nuts

Healthier: walnuts

Cheaper: sunflower seeds

Sunflower seeds are more affordable and nut-free.

parmesan cheese

Healthier: nutritional yeast

Cheaper: grana padano

Grana padano is a less expensive cheese with similar flavor.

Techniques

blending

Equipment

food processorjarspatula
🌶️🌶️🌶️Lowmilktree-nuts

Also Known As

Pesto alla GenoveseBasil Pesto

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