Basil Oregano Pesto Food

BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• Combine basil, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, and olive oil in a food processor. Pulse to combine. Add garlic, pine nuts, salt, and pepper. Pulse until mixture becomes smooth and blended.
• Pour mixture onto a large sheet of plastic wrap; roll into a tube shape and seal. Store in the refrigerator until needed.

BASIL-OREGANO PESTO

Steps:

• In a blender or food processor, blend all ingredients until a paste is formed, stopping to scrape down the sides occasionally.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Keep up to one week in the refrigerator, covering with a thin layer of olive oil. Pour the oil from the pesto before using.
• Pesto may also be frozen up to 4 months.

MIXED HERB PESTO

Steps:

• Put the almonds in a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Add the basil, parsley, garlic, oregano, thyme and 1/4 teaspoon salt and pulse until finely chopped. Add the Parmesan and pulse to combine. With the food processor on, slowly pour in the oil and process until combined. Transfer to a bowl.

PARSLEY, ROSEMARY AND OREGANO PESTO

Steps:

• Put the almonds in a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Add the parsley, garlic, oregano, rosemary and 1/4 teaspoon salt and pulse until finely chopped. Add the pecorino and pulse to combine. With the motor running, slowly pour in the olive oil and process until combined. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the tomatoes.

SUMMER HERB PESTO

Steps:

• Blend the garlic, basil, parsley, spinach, oregano, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and olive oil in a blender or food processor until smooth.

OREGANO PESTO

Steps:

• Carefully wash the oregano and pat dry.
• Place all ingredients in a food processor bowl.
• Pulse until they are well combined and the desired consistency.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks (or freeze in small batches for later use).

FRESH BASIL PESTO WITH VARIATIONS

Steps:

• Fit your food processor with the steel blade attachment. To bowl add basil, garlic, oil, pine nuts, salt and pepper. Pulse several times, scraping bowl if needed, and continue until the mixture is a smooth paste. Add a tiny bit of oil if mixture gets too thick.
• When the consistency is right, transfer to a small bowl and fold in the shredded parmesan cheese.
• To Serve: Stir a few tablespoons of pesto with a splash of cooking water from your favorite pasta and toss with hot pasta until coated. Use as a condiment on grilled panini sandwiches, on toast points for an appetizer, as a pizza sauce, or garnish your fresh soup with a few teaspoons.
• To Store: Cover with a thin layer of olive oil or spray with non-stick cooking oil and keep in the fridge for several weeks. For long-term storage fill ice cube trays with pesto, freeze and then pop out into a resealable plastic bag. Thaw just the right amount of fresh pesto for your meal any time you want it!
• *NOTE: Other aromatic herbs, nuts, oils or hard cheeses can be used in place of or in combination with the basil, pine nuts, extra virgin olive oil and parmesan. Keep in mind the herb is the star of the show and should have the most prominent flavor when mixing and matching ingredients. Also, consider the rest of your meal and what fresh flavors might compliment it best. Have fun experimenting with some of the following!
• Herbs: fresh cilantro, spinach, oregano, sun-dried tomatoes; Italian flat leaf parsley can be used by itself but is also great to use with any of the other herbs when you may be running short on them.
• Nuts: Walnuts, almonds, pecans.
• Flavored Oils: porcini mushroom, walnut, lemon, rosemary, raspberry.
• Cheeses: parmigiano-reggiano, asiago, romano.