Cooking Classics
The Technique
Pecan Pesto
Fresh basil, Parmesan cheese & flavorful spices make pesto a wonderful summer staple that may be used to make salads, side dishes & pasta better. Although traditionally prepared with pine nuts, peanuts, pecans & many other nuts many be substituted to offer a slightly different taste. Pecan Pesto is a lovely variation that’s well worth your attention. Use the last bit of fresh basil that’s growing in your herb garden for a host of quick recipe solutions.
Pecan Pesto
makes 1 1/2 cups
4 cups fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
2/3 cup toasted pecan halves
2 small garlic cloves
3/4 cup olive oil
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp lemon zest
1/4 tsp kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Pulse the basil, the pecans & the garlic in a food processor until finely chopped, stopping occasionally to scrape down the bowl sides with a rubber spatula. With the machine running, add the oil in a slow steady stream. Transfer mixture to a medium bowl, then stir in the Parmesan cheese & the remaining ingredients. Taste & adjust the seasonings. Store covered, in the refrigerator, up to two days.
FROM THE KITCHEN OF BUTTERMILK LIPSTICK
{testing notes}
How To Blanch Fresh Basil
Basil offers undeniable fresh, bold flavor & it’s delicious in a variety of foods. The summer herb is a baseline in pesto but try stirring it into mayonnaise, dips & vinaigrettes. It’s also wonderful when used to prepare pistou– much like pesto without the pine nuts — pistou may be tossed with pasta or slathered over pizza dough in place of traditional tomato sauce.
The Technique
Bring a small saucepan filled halfway with water to a boil over Medium-High heat. Add 1 cup packed fresh basil leaves. Turn off the heat. Let stand 15 seconds. Begin removing the basil with a pair of tongs & immediately plunge into ice water to stop the cooking process. Retrieve the basil from the ice water with the tongs. Use blanched basil in pesto as well as a host of other dishes in order to hold the color of the herb.
The Tune
“We Shall Be Changed” Marion Williams
social butterfly
instagram: buttermilklipstick
facebook: Buttermilk Lipstick
twitter: Buttermilk Lipstick@ButtermilkLips
{college football} Rebecca Gordon@TidefanFare
pinterest: Buttermilk Lipstick
Rebecca Gordon
Be sweet.
Comments are closed.