Sunday, April 15, 2012

Simple and Fresh Pesto Sauce

Pesto.  Ah pesto.  So fresh, so classic, sometimes a little misunderstood. Pesto is a true Italian creation. It enjoys a reputation as both a co-star, on delicious equal footing as a sauce for fresh pasta, and a supporting player; bringing out the best in a piece of grilled chicken or simple vegetable dip.  Lisa Freda Amundsen gets credit for contributing this recipe. She has even provided some variations on this already versatile ingredient, pesto.
Ingredients
4   cups of fresh basil
2   cups of fresh Italian parsley
3/4 cup of pine nuts
1   cup Parmesan cheese, grated (use the good stuff)
4  garlic cloves
1-2 cups olive oil
Directions
Put all the ingredients in a food processor and blend.  Pesto freezes well, so you can try it in different ways.
1st Option: You can roast the pine nuts prior to blending for a change of flavor.  To roast pine nuts, place in shallow skillet and cook on low heat until lightly golden. OR place on baking sheet in 250* oven until golden brown.
2nd Option:  You can exchange the parmesan cheese for romano, asiago, or sharp fontina.

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