Lively Lemon Pesto Recipes

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.

LEMON PESTO SPAGHETTI

Steps:

• To toast the pine nuts, tip 1 tablespoon of the nuts into a dry saute pan over medium-high heat and toast, tossing constantly, until golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Set aside.
• Add a generous pinch of flaky sea salt to a large saucepan of boiling water. Add the spaghetti and cook as per packet instructions. It should take about 8 to 10 minutes.
• For the pesto, put 2 cups basil, the remaining 1/3 cup pine nuts, garlic, extra-virgin olive oil and lemon juice into a food processor. Blitz until everything is well blended.
• When the pasta is just cooked (al dente) drain it in a colander. Add the pesto to the saucepan then tip the pasta back in. Stir well to make sure every strand of pasta is coated in the pesto.
• Tip into a large family-style serving dish, garnish with the toasted pine nuts and a few basil leaves.

HOW TO MAKE LEMON PESTO

Steps:

• Add all ingredients into a food processor or high speed blender
• Pulse 20-30 seconds, stopping and scraping down the sides in between pulses
• If it's too thick, add a little more EVOO to your desired texture
• Texture should be smooth and not pasty

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.

LEMON VERBANA OR LEMON BALM PESTO

Steps:

• Rinse lemon balm well in a bowl of water. Let it soak until needed.
• Grate parmesan if needed.
• Peel garlic. Set up your food processor with the cutting blade or use a blender. Turn the machine on and drop the garlic in while the blade is turning. Turn off when garlic is minced, after about 10 seconds.
• Rinse the lemon balm well and pat dry with towel. Remove leaves and put in food processor or blender. Put walnuts and salt on top of leaves. Process until finely chopped but still a bit rough.
• With the machine going, slowly pour in olive oil.
• Stop the machine and add parmesan cheese. Process briefly to mix. Taste. Add salt and pepper as needed.
• To serve, stir pesto into hot cooked pasta or spread on bread or crackers. Eat warm or at room temperature.
• Refrigerate or freeze any extra.
• Enjoy!

LEMONY PESTO CHICKEN SOUP

Steps:

• In a saucepan, bring stock to a simmer. Add orzo and cook 1 minute less than per package instructions. Add chicken and heat through, about 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in lemon juice. Divide among bowls. Add 1 tablespoon pesto to each. Serve with lemon wedges, grated Parmesan, pea shoots or other delicate greens, and fresh basil.

LIVELY LEMON PESTO

Steps:

• Combine herbs and garlic in a food processor and pulse until mostly broken down.
• Add sesame seeds and chickpeas and puree.
• With the processor running, stream in the oil, broth, wine and lemon juice.
• Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper.