Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

This is a instructional post on how to make a simple pesto with a few key ingredients. Pesto is an all purpose sauce which has its origin in northern Italy. It can be used to coat certain meats and seafood and other dishes like pasta, rice and gnocchi. It is amazingly easy to make and very very handy. It is my goal to get you off store bought pesto as you can make one that taste far more superior than store bought brands.

Grilled Frog Legs coated with Pesto

INGREDIENTS:

(1) A Bunch of Basil

(2) 1/2 Cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

(3) 1/3 Cup of Pine Nuts

(4) 1/4 Cup of Parmigiano Reggiano (Parmesan Cheese)

(5) 1 Large Clove of Garlic

(6) 1 Chili Pepper (Optional)

(7) 3 Sun-Dried Tomatoes (6 Halves)

(8) Salt and Pepper to taste

Gnocchi in Pesto

Notes:

(1) The first 5 ingredients are a must for making a traditional pesto. Chili pepper and sun-dried tomatoes are specific to this recipe.

(2)Basil is the key ingredient in pesto. Be sure to use the freshest basil leaves you can find.

(3) The quality of olive oil is also very important. Things to look out for when buying olive oil can be found here.

(4) I have chosen to use pine nuts here which are the original nuts used for pesto. Pine nuts are however quite expensive. Other nuts like almond and walnut can be used in place of pine nuts.

(5) The Sun-Dried tomato used here should be rehydrated before using. You can make your own Sun-Dried tomato by following the steps here.

PROCEDURE:

(1) This is so easy that you will think you missed out on something. Place all the ingredients apart from the olive oil in a food processor or mill and process until all the ingredients are blended.

(2) With the processor running, pour in the oil in a steady stream until the paste gets to the consistency you need. It should be thick but spreadable. You might need more or less olive oil.

(3) Taste the pesto and adjust for seasoning.

This pesto can be used immediately or stored in an air tight container in the fridge.

Pesto Pasta

About Terry Adido

Terry Adido is passionate about showing people how easy it is to recreate restaurant quality meals in the comfort of their kitchens. With a style of cooking he refers to as Afro-European Fusion, his meals are influenced greatly by French and Italian Cuisine with a West African twist. If you love good food, you are in for the ride of your life.