Low Fat Roasted Red Pepper Pesto Recipes

ROASTED RED PEPPER PANINI

Steps:

• Process Country Crock® Spread, basil and garlic in food processor or blender until almost smooth.
• Spread 2 slices bread with basil butter. Top with spinach, roasted pepper, mozzarella, and remaining bread slices.
• To cook in panini press: Preheat the press. Add sandwich and cook according to the manufacturer's instructions until golden and crisp, 3 to 5 minutes. Repeat with remaining sandwich.
• To cook in skillet: Melt 1 tablespoon Country Crock® Spread over medium heat in skillet and add sandwiches to skillet. Place a heatproof plate on top of sandwiches and weigh down with heavy heat-proof object. Cook sandwiches 3 to 4 minutes or until golden. Turn sandwiches over and weigh down with plate. Cook 3 minutes or until golden and cheese is melted.

LOW FAT ROASTED RED PEPPER PESTO

Steps:

• Toast the garlic in an 8" skillet over medium heat, shaking the pan occasionally, until fragrant and spotty brown, about 7 minutes. Transfer the garlic to a plate and let cool before peeling.
• Process the garlic, peppers, Parmesan, ricotta, shallot, parsley, thyme, oil, and 1/2 teaspoons salt in a food processor until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• When tossing the pesto with pasta, add some of the pasta cooking water as needed to loosen the consistency of the pesto.
• This makes enough to sauce 1 pound of pasta.
• Note:.
• To make ahead, the pesto can be covered with a sheet of plastic wrap pressed flush against its surface and refrigerated for up to 3 days. Do not freeze this pesto.

ROASTED RED PEPPER & PARSLEY PESTO WITH PENNE

Steps:

• Cook the pasta following pack instructions. Meanwhile, put the peppers, parsley, nuts, garlic and olive oil in a small food processor or mini chopper, and whizz to a pesto consistency. Season and mix in the Parmesan.
• Drain the pasta and return to the pan with the pesto. Stir and gently heat for 1 min, then sprinkle with a little more chopped parsley and serve.

ROASTED RED PEPPER & PESTO DRESSING

Steps:

• While the coals of the barbecue are burning hot, char the peppers, turning frequently using metal tongs until blistered and evenly blackened (see tip below for charring indoors). Remove to a bowl, cover with a plate and set aside to cool completely - this will create steam, which softens the flesh and makes the skin easier to remove.
• Gently rub the peels off the peppers and remove the seeds. Finely chop the flesh on a board, then scrape back into the bowl along with any juices. Mix in the pesto or basil, olive oil and vinegar, and season well. Can be made up to two days ahead and chilled until needed. Remove from the fridge 1 hr before serving. Spoon over the fish and veg.