Pesto is a popular sauce traditionally made using basil, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese. The word pesto comes from the Italian pastare, which means to bruise or pound. Although the traditional way to make pesto is with a mortar and pestle, most cooks today prefer the convenience of a blender or food processor.
It is easy to vary the standard recipe by adding different nuts and cheeses. Pesto made from sun dried tomatoes is also popular. Some people even replace the basil with cilantro or arugula to create a pesto to suit their own tastes. The versatility of pesto is one of the reasons it is so popular. Any number of herbs, oils, nuts, cheeses, and spices can be combined to make pesto.
Many people who raise their own herbs have basil in their gardens. During summer months when basil is plentiful, it is a good idea to make several batches of pesto and freeze portions to use in winter months when basil is less readily available. Some cooks fill ice cube trays with pesto and add the frozen cubes to sauces and soups throughout the year. Although pesto is easy to make, it is also widely available in most grocery stores and specialty food shops.
Ways to Use Pesto:
- Pesto is often used in pasta dishes to replace the traditional tomato sauce. Simply toss pasta with pesto and additional cheese if desired. Pesto can also be added to Alfredo sauce or used in place of sage butter.
- Add a tablespoon of pesto to casseroles, scalloped potatoes, salmon cakes, or meat loaf for a new and unusual flavor.
- Pesto makes a great marinade. It works equally well on fish, beef, pork, and poultry. Simply brush pesto onto both sides of the meat or fish and grill or bake as usual. Alternatively, pesto can be poured into a plastic bag to coat the meat or fish; simply store in the refrigerator to marinate for several hours.
- In addition to flavoring soups and sauces, pesto can be added to mayonnaise or yogurt and used as a condiment on top of grilled mushrooms or burgers.
- Whisk together lemon juice and pesto for a quick salad dressing.
- When making scrambled eggs, stir in one or two tablespoons of pesto to add interesting flavor.
There are countless recipes for pesto and many ways to use it to add variety to traditional dishes. To find more ideas for using pesto, check out recipes on the Food Network website.
 |
