Matt’s "Not your Moms Pesto"
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Pesto #1 - Cilantro
Serves 2
Ingredients
Cilantro 120 grams (4 oz)
Pecan nuts 60 grams (2 oz)
Garlic 2 cloves or more if desired
Jalapeno ½ but check level of spiciness
Cojita cheese 60 grams (2 oz)
Olive oil desired amount
Preparation
Blend coarsely in a Quisinart
Mix with desired pasta, pour desired amount of olive oil, sprinkle with more cheese or use parmesan cheese, mix and enjoy.
Pesto #2 - Kale
Serves 2
Ingredients
Fresh kale 120 grams (4 oz)
Fresh garlic 2 cloves (+/- to taste)
Sliced almonds 40-60 grams toasted
Pecorino Romano cheese 40-60 grams (2-3 oz)
Salt pinch
High phenolic olive oil 1/3 to ½ cup
Water ¼ cup or to consistency
Lemon juice 1-2 tablespoons,
reduces bitterness of kale
Red pepper flakes for more kick, if desired
Preparation
Wash kale and place in food processor, add garlic and pinch of salt. Chop until fine – 30 to 60 seconds
Add cheese and olive oil – blend until smooth.
Add water to soften consistency to smooth goo – can use more olive oil also.
Add toasted almonds and briefly pulse into soft pesto leaving some chunks.
Serve over cooked baked potatoes. Top with more grated cheese as desired.
Can be used on crackers or bread as spread as well.
Pesto #3 - Arugula
Serves 2
Arugula 120 grams (4 oz)
Shelled walnuts 40-60 grams (2-3 oz)
Grated parmesan 40-60 grams (2-3 oz)
Olive oil ½ cup or more to texture
Garlic cloves 6 roasted golden brown in olive oil
(save oil for making pesto paste)
Garlic clove ½ to 1 fresh
Salt pinch to ½ teaspoon
Preparation
Brown garlic cloves in a skillet until golden brown, about 7-10 minutes on medium high heat
Toast the walnuts in a similar manner in a dry skillet or in a toaster oven
Combine arugula, parmesan cheese, garlic cloves and salt in food processor
Pulse to blend and then drizzle olive oil into blender until texture of choice
Adjust salt as desired if not sufficient
Add nuts and blend briefly to allow some larger pieces to remain for texture
Server with choice of pasta, on baked potatoes, bread or as pizza spread
Tools Used
Scale to weigh
Food processor like Cuisinart
Skillet for roasting
Measuring cups and spoons
Boiling, salted water to cook pasta of choice
