Lemon Basil Pesto Recipes

LEMON BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350, line a baking sheet with aluminum.
• Place the pine nuts on baking sheet and bake for 3-5 minutes until they are golden brown.
• When pine nuts are done toasting put all ingredients into a food processor, pulsate for about a minute until well combined, and then you have pesto.

LIGHT LEMON PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti at a boil until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 12 minutes; drain. Transfer spaghetti to a large bowl.
• Put cubed Romano cheese in the bowl of a food processor; process until coarsely grated, about 30 seconds. Put garlic into the food processor and process until the cheese and garlic are combined. Add spinach, basil, walnuts, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt; process until the mixture comes together into a thick paste. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula.
• With food processor running, drizzle olive oil into the mixture. Continue processing until the oil is integrated smoothly.
• Pour sauce over spaghetti and toss to coat.

BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• Mix everything together in food processor except the oil and lemon.
• Once everything is mixed well, drizzle with lemon and oil.
• Mix until well blended.
• Serve on pasta or just about anything that needs a pick me up.
• Will keep in refrigerator for 2-3 days.
• Enjoy!

LEMON LINGUINE WITH BASIL PESTO SHRIMP

Steps:

• Pesto Directions:
• Put basil leaves and garlic in bowl of a food processor.
• Pulse a few times to combine.
• Add Parmesan cheese and pine nuts; pulse a few more times.
• Scrape mixture into a bowl and whisk in olive oil.
• Add salt and red pepper flakes to taste; stir.
• Lemon Linguine:
• Place shrimp in a non-metal bowl or zipper bag; spoon in half of the pesto to coat. Mix well. Set aside the rest of the pesto for later.
• Place shrimp in the refrigerator to marinate for about 30 minutes. You can also put the shrimp on wooden skewers that have been thoroughly soaked in water.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet or grill pan. Add the shrimp and saute just until it turns pink, about 1 or 2 minutes per side.
• Remove shrimp from pan and cover to keep warm. Shrimp will continue to cook for a minute after you remove it from the heat.
• In a large serving bowl, whisk the 1/4 cup of the lemon juice and olive oil until partially emulsified.
• Add the Parmesan and continue whisking until creamy.
• Toss in the lemon zest and season with salt and pepper.
• Adjust the oil-to-lemon ratio by adding more lemon juice, a little at a time, until it is to your taste.
• Add hot pasta to the bowl and toss until well-coated. The heat from the pasta will melt the cheese and help it stick to the linguine.
• Add some cooking water if the pasta seems dry.
• Portion the linguine onto dinner plates; top each with 4 to 6 shrimp.
• Ladle some remaining pesto onto each plate as well.

LEMON BASIL PESTO FLAT IRON STEAK

Steps:

• Chop 4 garlic cloves in a food processor until minced. Add the basil and pine nuts, and pulse a few times to combine. With the food processor running, slowly pour in the olive oil, stopping once or twice to scrape down the sides. Place the Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes into the food processor, and pulse until blended. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Rub the flat iron steaks with 2 cloves minced garlic, season to taste with salt and pepper, then set aside. Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil grate.
• Grill the steaks to desired degree of doneness on preheated grill, about 4 minutes per side for medium. Baste the steaks occasionally with a little of the pesto sauce. Once done, serve topped with the remaining pesto.