Kittencals Perfect Pesto Recipes

PROPER PESTO

Steps:

• Crush garlic and pinch of kosher salt in a mortar with the pestle until garlic is mashed and paste-like, 1 or 2 minutes. Add basil in 3 or 4 additions, crushing and pounding down the leaves until they form a fairly fine paste, about 8 minutes or more depending on size of leaves and thickness of stems. Add and pound in pine nuts.
• Transfer a handful of grated cheese to mortar and pound into the sauce. Add another handful of cheese and incorporate into the mixture. Continue adding cheese a handful at a time until completely incorporated, about 5 minutes.
• Drizzle in olive oil 1 tablespoon at a time, pounding it into the sauce. When all the olive oil has been added and emulsified into the mixture, transfer pesto to a bowl and drizzle surface with olive oil.

KITTENCAL'S FAMOUS COLESLAW

Steps:

• In a food processor chop the cabbage into small pieces (should look like about the size of confetti) or shred the cabbage.
• Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
• With a fine shredder, shred the peeled carrots; add to the cabbage in the bowl.
• Chop the green onion finely; add to the cabbage/carrot mixture along with the celery seed.
• Mix the three veggies all together with a wooden spoon.
• To make the dressing: in a medium glass bowl whisk together all the dressing ingredients starting with the lower amounts then adding in and adjusting to suit taste but using 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar.
• Pour over the veggies in the bowl, and mix well to combine.
• Store covered in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours or overnight (overnight is better) to blend flavors.
• FOR ONE 16-OUNCE PACKAGE COLESLAW MIX use the following amounts; 1/2 cup mayonnaise/ 2-1/2 tablespoons milk/ 2-1/2 tablespoons buttermilk/ 1-1/2 tablespoons vinegar/ 1-1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice/ 3-1/2 tablespoons sugar/ 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder/ 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt, or to taste.

PERFECT PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Toast pine nuts on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing once, until golden brown, 5-7 minutes. Transfer to a food processor and let cool, 5-7 minutes.
• Add garlic and grated Parmesan to food processor and pulse until finely ground, about 1 minute. Add basil and, with the motor running, add oil in a slow and steady stream; continue to process until pesto is mostly smooth with just a few flecks of green remaining, about 1 minute. Pulse in 1 tsp. salt.
• Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid.
• Place pesto and butter in a large bowl. Add pasta and 1/4 cup pasta cooking liquid. Toss vigorously with tongs, adding more pasta cooking liquid as needed, until pasta is glossy and well coated with sauce. Taste pasta and season with more salt if needed.
• Divide pasta among bowls. Top with shaved Parmesan.
• Do Ahead: Pesto can be made 1 day ahead. Pour oil over to cover by 1/4" to prevent browning. Press plastic wrap directly against surface and chill.

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.

KITTENCAL'S PERFECT PESTO

Steps:

• Combine the basil, olive oil, pine nuts and garlic cloves in a blender (or food processor).
• Blend until a paste form, stopping often to push down the basil.
• Add in the Parmesan cheese and Kosher salt; blend until smooth.
• Transfer to a bowl.
• NOTE to clean fresh basil leaves; swirl in a bowl of water then spin them very dry in a salad spinner.
• If not using right away store the clean leaves in a sealed plastic bag with a slightly damp paper towel, the leaves should keep well refrigerated for up to 2 days.