Corn Pesto Recipes

PESTO-CORN GRILLED PEPPERS

Steps:

• For pesto, combine 1/2 cup oil, grated cheese, basil, sunflower kernels and garlic in a blender; cover and process until blended., In a large skillet, heat remaining oil over medium-high heat. Add chopped red pepper; cook and stir until tender. Add corn and pesto; heat through., Halve peppers lengthwise; remove seeds. Grill peppers, covered, over medium heat, cut side down, 8 minutes. Turn; fill with corn mixture. Grill 4-6 minutes longer or until tender. If desired, sprinkle with shredded cheese.

PESTO, ROASTED CORN, AND BLUE CHEESE PIZZA

Steps:

• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saute pan over medium heat. Stand corn on its end in the pan and cut kernels directly into the pan. Add red bell pepper and cook for 10 minutes, or until corn begins to brown. Remove from heat and reserve.
• Sprinkle your rolling surface with a handful of cornmeal or flour. Place the dough in the middle of the surface. Roll dough out gently 1/4-inch thick, into either a 12-inch rectangle or circle. Brush both sides with olive oil and set aside until ready to grill.
• If you are grilling on a charcoal grill, set coals on one side of the grill.
• Place dough directly on the cooking grate over medium heat for 1 to 3 minutes, until the crust is well marked and browned. Flip dough and spread pesto evenly over crust. Sprinkle corn and bell pepper over top, then place cheese over the top. Move to indirect heat (for charcoal: the side of charcoal grill that has no coals. For gas: turn off burner directly under pizza). Cover grill and cook for 5 to10 minutes, or until bottom is well browned, and cheese is fully melted.
• Remove from grill, season with salt and pepper and slice. Serve immediately

CORN PESTO

Steps:

• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add bacon and cook until crisp, stirring often. Drain off all but 1 tablespoon of bacon fat. Add corn kernels, garlic, kosher salt and pepper to pan. Saute until corn is just tender, about 5 minutes. Add all but about 1 1/2 cups of the cooked corn kernels to food processor, along with the Parmesan and pine nuts. With the processor running, slowly add the olive oil in a steady stream. Blend until smooth, then return to the pan with the reserved corn kernels. Stir to combine. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and add to the corn pesto mixture (add some pasta water if the mixture is too thick). Season with more salt and pepper if needed. Top each serving with the reserved bacon, basil, and more Parmesan cheese.

PESTO CORN SALAD WITH SHRIMP

Steps:

• In a pot of boiling water, cook corn until tender, about 5 minutes. Drain; cool slightly. Meanwhile, in a food processor, pulse basil, oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt until blended., Cut corn from cob and place in a bowl. Stir in tomatoes, pepper and remaining salt. Add avocado and 2 tablespoons basil mixture; toss gently to combine. , Thread shrimp onto metal or soaked wooden skewers; brush with remaining basil mixture. Grill, covered, over medium heat until shrimp turn pink, 2-4 minutes per side. Remove shrimp from skewers; serve with corn mixture.

TAGLIATELLE WITH FRESH CORN PESTO

Steps:

• Cook bacon in large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp and brown, stirring often. Using slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon drippings from skillet. Add corn, garlic, 1 1/4 teaspoons coarse salt, and 3/4 teaspoon pepper to drippings in skillet. Sauté over medium-high heat until corn is just tender but not brown, about 4 minutes. Transfer 1 1/2 cups corn kernels to small bowl and reserve. Scrape remaining corn mixture into processor. Add 1/2 cup Parmesan and pine nuts. With machine running, add olive oil through feed tube and blend until pesto is almost smooth. Set pesto aside.
• Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain, reserving 1 1/2 cups pasta cooking liquid. Return pasta to pot. Add corn pesto, reserved corn kernels, and 1/2 cup basil leaves. Toss pasta mixture over medium heat until warmed through, adding reserved pasta cooking liquid by 1/4 cupfuls to thin to desired consistency, 2 to 3 minutes. Season pasta to taste with salt and pepper.
• Transfer pasta to large shallow bowl. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup basil leaves and reserved bacon. Serve pasta, passing additional grated Parmesan alongside.

PESTO

Steps:

• Combine basil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and nuts in the bowl of a food processor or blender. Blend to a smooth paste. Add parsley if desired.