Marthas Pesto Recipes

PEA-PESTO HANDKERCHIEFS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Toast pine nuts on a rimmed baking sheet 5 to 7 minutes; set aside. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; add peas and cook until bright green and tender, about 1 minute. Transfer to a plate with a slotted spoon. Let cool slightly.
• When cool enough to handle, add half of peas to a food processor with basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and 1 tablespoon water. Pulse until a paste forms. With machine running, slowly drizzle in oil. Season with salt and pepper.
• Return water in pot to a boil; add pasta, a handful at a time. Cook according to package instructions, stirring frequently, until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water; drain. Return pasta to pot; toss with pesto and reserved pasta water. Divide among 4 plates; top with remaining peas and more basil leaves and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Dollop with ricotta, drizzle with oil, and serve.

ALMOND-HERB PESTO

Steps:

• Pulse together garlic, almonds, tender-herb leaves, olive oil, and Parmesan in a food processor until finely chopped. Season with salt. Pesto can be stored in refrigerator, with plastic wrap pressed directly onto surface, up to 2 days.

PESTO

Steps:

• Use the side of a chef's knife to mash garlic clove with kosher salt until garlic breaks down. Transfer to the bowl of a food processor with toasted pine nuts. Pulse until a paste forms. Add fresh basil leaves in two batches, pulsing until finely chopped. Add grated Parmigiano-Reggiano and grated Pecorino Romano; puree until combined. Transfer to a bowl; slowly whisk in extra-virgin olive oil. Season with salt. Store in an airtight container, covered with a thin layer of oil, for up to 2 days.
• In a food processor, combine toasted nuts, basil, Parmesan, and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Process until finely chopped. With machine running, pour olive oil in a steady stream through the feed tube; process until smooth.

BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread nuts evenly on a rimmed baking sheet; toast in oven until golden and fragrant, tossing once, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool completely.
• Meanwhile, bring 4 cups salted water to a boil; add basil, and submerge with a spoon. Immediately drain in a colander. Rinse with cold water until cool, then pat basil completely dry in paper towels.
• In a food processor, combine nuts, basil, and garlic; season generously with salt and pepper. Process until nuts are finely chopped. With machine running, pour oil in a steady stream through the feed tube; process until smooth. Use immediately, or freeze.

LEFTOVER-HERB PESTO

Steps:

• Pulse garlic, nuts, herbs, oil, and Parmesan in a food processor until finely chopped. Season with salt and pepper.