Pesto Surprise Food

PESTO SURPRISE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; rinse with cold water and drain.
• Prepared zesty Italian dressing according to package directions.
• In a large bowl, toss together pasta, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, black olives, green olives and cheese. Pour dressing over all, add pesto, and stir until evenly coated. Refrigerate or serve immediately.

PESTO

Steps:

• Place the walnuts, pignolis, and garlic in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Process for 15 seconds. Add the basil leaves, salt, and pepper. With the processor running, slowly pour the olive oil into the bowl through the feed tube and process until the pesto is thoroughly pureed. Add the Parmesan and puree for a minute. Use right away or store the pesto in the refrigerator or freezer with a thin film of olive oil on top.

CLASSIC PESTO

Steps:

• Heat a small frying pan over a low heat. Cook the pine nuts until golden, shaking occasionally. Put into a food processor with the basil, parmesan, olive oil and garlic cloves. Whizz until smooth, then season to taste.

PESTO SURPRISE MUFFINS

Steps:

• Preaheat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease 12 (2 1/2-inch) muffin cups or line with paper baking cups.
• Combine flour, 2 tbs. cheese, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Combine milk, oil and egg in a small bowl; stir until blended. Stir into flour mixture until just moistened. Do not overmix. Spoon into prepared muffin cups, filling one-third full. Stir pesto sauce; spoon 1 teaspoons sauce into each muffin cup. Spoon remaining batter evenly over pesto sauce. Sprinkle remaining 1 tbs. cheese evenly over batter.
• Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpicks inserted into centers come out clean. Cool in muffin pans on wire rack 5 minutes. Remove from pan and cool on wire rack 10 minutes.

PESTO PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler. Brush the cut sides of the bread with the pesto. Divide the capicola, mozzarella and Parmesan among the pesto-topped bread.
• Place the assembled bread halves on a baking sheet, then broil until the cheese melts. Top with the basil and serve.

PESTO FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Cut the chicken into 8 pieces. In a large bowl, whisk together the milk and pesto; add the chicken, then soak and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Remove the chicken and pat dry. In a shallow plate, whisk together the flour, paprika and 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper, then dredge the chicken in the mixture to coat.
• Heat a few inches of vegetable oil in a large pot until it registers 350˚ F on a deep-fry thermometer. Add the chicken and fry, turning occasionally, until golden, 12 to 15 minutes; transfer to paper towels to drain.