For a beautiful sauce for grilled salmon or Ocean trout, mix a ratio of 1 Tbsp. Mayonnaise with 1 tsp. pesto. It is so delicious with fish!
Leftover pesto can easily be kept, tightly covered in the refrigerator for 5 days. It also freezes beautifully!
Basil Pesto - recipe #1
Ingredients:
45g (1/4 cup) pine nuts- toasted
1 1/2 - 2 cups fresh basil leaves - wash three times and check for insects
2 garlic cloves, pressed or chopped up a bit
60g (3/4 cup) shredded Parmesan cheese (Optional)
5 tbs olive oil
Spread the pine nuts on a baking sheet and put them in the oven at 325 degrees F. Watch them carefully as they will go from being just right to burning very quickly. I often do this step in a pareve pan on top of my stove - I find it easier to watch this way. Allow to cool.
In a blender, food processor or magic bullet, place basil leaves, garlic, parmesean (if you want this for a dairy recipe) and olive oil and begin to blend. Pulse a few times and then stop and make sure all ingredients are mixing well. Add a bit more oil if necessary. Blend until you have a thick puree. Taste and add salt and pepper if you think it needs 'something' I add a dash of cayenne to mine!
K (D) if Parmesean cheese is used K (P) if you omit the Parmesean cheese.
Dairy-Free Basil Pesto - recipe #2
Ingredients:
2 cups Fresh Basil Leaves, washed three times, checked for insects
1/3 cup toasted Pine Nuts (see toasting instructions in recipe above) or Walnuts (or perhaps raw sunflower seeds for those who are tree nut-free?)
3 medium Garlic Cloves, minced
1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 and 1/2 tsp. fresh squeezed Lemon Juice (more or less, to taste)
1/2 tsp. Salt
In a food processor or blender, combine the basil leaves with the nuts (or seeds), lemon juice and sea salt. Pulse a few times until mixture is reduced in volume and the mixture is well incorporated.
Add the garlic and pulse a few times more. Slowly add the olive oil in a constant stream while the blender or food processor is running, stop to scrap down the sides with a rubber spatula. Taste. Add more lemon juice and/or salt if needed. Serve with pasta, chicken, fish, grilled vegetables or even on bruschetta!
K (P)
