Pesto! This has become my new favourite for the past 2 years. I always had store-bought pesto from Tesco or Sainsbury’s, London and tried all its variants – red pesto, green pesto, chili pesto, sun dried tomato pesto. I am yet to try the few versions like artichoke, aubergine, spinach and pepper pesto. Wow, this sauce is so versatile! Throw in your choice of herbs, veggies and nuts and prepare your own pesto. The option of using pesto is endless too – mix in any of your dips, add in your pizza or soups, use as a dressing or create your own version. Super!
However, on one fine day I thought of trying it at home. It was super yum! Just a few right ingredients and a good blend, your fresh, luscious and scrumptious pesto is ready! I simply love to relish the classic pesto pasta. Pick your choice of pasta, add in some veggies of your choice (optional) and mix well with pesto. I have always tried with Fusilli Pasta, but after trying with long thread pastas like spaghetti, tagliatelle and linguine, I am so stuck to it.
Here is the quick recipe of Linguine Pesto –
Pesto –
Add 2 cups of basil leaves, 3 Tbsp of toasted pine nuts, 2 cloves of garlic, 1 Tbsp of lemon juice, ½ cup of extra virgin oil and Parmigiano Reggiano, salt and pepper to a blender and mix well. This can be stored easily for a week in a refrigerator in an air tight container.
Notes –
1. When I don’t have pine nuts, I add any nuts of my choice – cashews, walnuts or almonds and it definitely goes well.
2. I usually add cheddar cheese instead of Parmigiano Reggiano
3. You can freeze the pasta too, but nothing beats fresh made pesto.
Pasta –
A quick recipe in 10 minutes – Heat 1 Tbsp of olive oil, add sliced red pepper and mushrooms, sauté well and mix in a good bowl of linguine. Mix well and season with salt and pepper and lastly add a good dash of pesto, swirled well and the dish is just ready in 10 minutes. Oooh La La!
Ahh! A fab, flavoursome and fresh Summer meal is ready to savour!
So, this was my dish – What do you usually try with Pesto?
Follow me on my Instagram handle - https://www.instagram.com/the.platter.delights/ - the.platter.delights
The Platter Delights 