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Pesto Made Easy

Posted by Alexander on October 9th, 2013 (Good Foods, Healthy Recipes)

 

 

How great is this beautiful warm weather! I thought as the basil, parsley and mint in my garden is growing like mad, I would give you some great pesto recipe ideas.

 

Pesto can be made in minutes and last for weeks (provided you keep it in the fridge). Pesto could be the simple answer to a last minute dinner dilemma. The chart below can be used as a guide to a number of delicious pesto recipes. You can either use a food processor or a mortar and pestle to make your pesto, depending on how much time and bicep power you have.

 

HOW TO MAKE IT

First toast your nuts in a pan over a medium heat. You can then make your pesto using either step below:

 

Using a food processor?

– Chuck in half of the citrus juice and all other ingredients.

– Whizz until it looks like a pesto. You can then season with a bit of salt and pepper and have a taste.

– More juice can be added if needed and more oil if too thick.

 

Using a mortar and pestle?

– Bash the herbs with a pinch of salt into a thick green paste.

-Add nuts and bash some more.

– Now add cheese  or chilli and grind into a paste.

– Next add the oil and half the citrus juice and keep grinding until it looks like pesto.

– Season with a bit of salt and pepper and taste.

– More juice can be added if needed and more oil if too thick.

 

WHAT TO DO WITH IT

Summer Pesto

– Stir through some pasta or spead on a toasted sandwich

– Spread over fish and roast in the oven at 200°C for 15-20mins

Winter Pesto

– Spoon on top of stews and steaks

– Stir into soups or dollop on to crispy roasted vegies

Noodle Pesto

– Spread over chicken breast and roast in oven at 200°C for 20 minutes

– use as a dressing for Asian veg, sugar snap peas or just stir through some noodles

Minty Pesto

– Stir through pasta with a handful of peas and some greated pecorino.

– Spoon on top of boiled potatoes or ix into roasted zucchini as a side

**Recipe taken from: HUNGRY? 4th edition by Fourth Estate

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