We would never argue that the combination of basil and pine nuts is anything other than perfect, but we do think its not the only pesto game in town. If youre looking to try something different with this quick and easy sauce made from a combination of herbs and olive oil, know that there are endless variations. In fact, its quite easy to mix things up once you get the basic formula down. Dont think of these new iterations as messing with a classic—theyre more of an homage to a sauce we cant get enough of.
The first step to riffing on pesto is understanding the basics; start by mastering basil pesto. The formula is basil, pine nuts, fruity olive oil, salty Parmesan, and fiery garlic. Got that down? Now its time to try changing it up. Swap one ingredient in the formula or replace them all to create an entirely different sauce. Read on to explore each part of the equation and for mouthwatering combinations.
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There’s No Reason to Swap the Olive Oil, but You Could Branch Out
Pesto is an oil-based sauce, so this ingredient has a big impact on the flavor of the pesto. The sauce is typically made with a mild extra-virgin olive oil that lends fruity flavor without overwhelming the other ingredients. If you love bold flavors, drizzle in robust peppery olive oils or combine a touch of a peppery olive oil with more mild varieties.
Other than olive oil, any oil in your cabinet is game for pesto, so feel free to use anything you like the flavor of. Top off the sauce with strong flavored oils like nut oil or toasted sesame oil—you dont need much to add the flavor. Swap out olive oil altogether with a more neutral flavored oil like avocado oil or a full flavored oil like unrefined coconut oil. Ready to start? Try this Pasta with Cilantro-Peanut Pesto
How to Make Pesto – Martha Stewart’s Cooking School
FAQ
What is the recipe formula for pesto?
How to make pesto Rachael Ray?
How do you make pesto sauce in a food processor?
In a food processor, combine toasted nuts, basil, Parmesan, and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Process until finely chopped. With machine running, pour olive oil in a steady stream through the feed tube; process until smooth. Bring dips, meats, sandwiches, and even soups to life with this simple Italian-style pesto sauce.
How do you use Italian pesto?
Simple Italian pesto adds depth to many dishes besides pasta (although tossed in bowl of al dente linguine is reason enough to love it). Bring dips, meats, sandwiches, and even soups to life with this glorious green basil-filled sauce. Use the side of a chef’s knife to mash garlic clove with kosher salt until garlic breaks down.
What can I do with basil pesto?
Quick and easy pesto, pulsed in the food processor, makes good use of the abundance of spicy basil during summer. It takes just a few minutes to make a sauce for topping pastas, sandwiches, or vegetables. This ingredient shopping module is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page.
How do you thicken pesto Penne & linguine?
The starch in the water will help to thicken the sauce and allow it to coat the penne or linguine (or whatever shape you choose). Serve the pesto pasta as is, or top it with chopped fresh tomatoes, fresh chopped basil, and toasted pine nuts. Add sautéed vegetables and leftover cooked chicken or ham if you like. Photo by Meredith.