Crispy Pancetta Crostini With Arugula Lemon Pesto Recipes

FUSILLI WITH ARUGULA PESTO AND CRISPY PANCETTA

Steps:

• Preheat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until crispy, 5 to 7 minutes. Set aside on a paper towel-lined plate.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare an ice water bath. Stir the arugula into the boiling water and cook until it is bright green and tender, about 15 seconds. Remove the arugula directly to the ice bath and let cool completely, then drain, gently squeeze out the excess water and set aside. Do the same for the basil. Once the arugula and basil are blanched, cook the pasta in the boiling water until al dente.
• Meanwhile, make the pesto. Add the arugula and basil to a food processor and blend until mostly pureed, about 30 seconds. Add oil, pine nuts, garlic and salt and pepper and puree for another 30 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add the cheese and pulse, drizzling more oil as desired, until combined but not fully pureed, another 30 seconds. (See Cook's Note.)
• Place the pesto and butter in a large bowl and add drained pasta to the bowl, reserving some pasta water to thin the sauce as desired. Mix the pesto and pasta, season to taste and crumble the slices of crispy pancetta on top. Serve with extra grated Pecorino and a drizzle of olive oil.

GRILLED CHICKEN WITH ARUGULA PESTO

Steps:

• Heat a grill pan to high.
• Toast the nuts lightly in small skillet over low heat, then add them to a food processor.
• Add the arugula, basil, lemon juice, garlic, and salt and pepper, to taste, and pulse to combine.
• With the processor on, stream in the extra-virgin olive oil to form thick pesto.
• Lightly pound out the chicken, then rub all sides with the pesto. Spray the grill pan with cooking spray or rub with a little oil and grill the chicken 2 to 4 minutes on each side.
• Cook's Note: Serve sliced on top of Caesar Spaghetti or, pile it onto ciabatta bread with sliced tomatoes and mozzarella for an outta-sight sammy.

PARSLEY-LEMON PESTO

Steps:

• Put the parsley on a cutting board and with a mezzaluna or sharp knife, finely chop. Put the parsley in a jar and add the freshly squeezed lemon juice. Add the salt, and black pepper, to taste, Parmigiano cheese, and extra-virgin olive oil. Mix well.

GOAT CHEESE AND ASPARAGUS CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat and preheat the broiler.
• Drizzle the asparagus with some of the olive oil. Toss to coat and then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place on the grill pan and cook until tender and grill marks form, 3 to 5 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the asparagus. Remove, let cool slightly and cut into 2- to 3-inch pieces, about the size of the bread.
• Brush the bread on both sides generously with oil and place on a baking sheet. Rub the garlic all over one side of each slice. Broil until golden and crispy, 2 minutes per side. Remove and let cool slightly.
• Slather some of the goat cheese on the garlicky side of each piece of bread, then top each with 2 to 3 pieces of the grilled asparagus and a few of the cherry tomatoes. Return to the oven just until the cheese is melted and warmed, about 2 minutes.

PROSCIUTTO AND CUCUMBER CROSTINI WITH ARUGULA MUSTARD

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler to high.
• For the mustard: Place the arugula, salt and garlic in a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped. Add the mustard and maple syrup and puree until smooth. Transfer to a container and refrigerate until ready to use. (The mustard can be made up to 2 days in advance.)
• For the crostini: Slice the baguette on a steep bias into 1/4-inch slices; it should yield about 18 to 20 slices. Brush each slice with some of the olive oil and place on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with the salt and broil until golden brown and crunchy, 5 to 6 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• To assemble, spread 1/ 2 teaspoon of the arugula mustard onto each crostini. Top with a ribbon of cucumber and a piece of prosciutto, folded into a ribbon-like shape. Serve.