Pacifistpesto Recipes

PEA PESTO CROSTINI

Steps:

• For the pea pesto: Pulse together the peas, garlic, Parmesan, 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper in a food processor. With the machine running, slowly add the olive oil until well combined, about 1 to 2 minutes. Season with additional salt and pepper, if needed. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
• For the crostini: Preheat a stovetop griddle or grill pan on medium-high heat. Brush both sides of the sliced bread with olive oil and grill until golden, about 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the bread to a clean surface and spread 1 to 2 tablespoons of the prepared pesto on each slice.
• Top with tomato halves and serve.
• *Cook's note: If you don't have day-old bread on hand, you can dry out fresh bread by putting the slices in a preheated 300 degree F oven until slightly crisp, about 5 minutes.

GARLIC SCAPE PESTO

Steps:

• Blend the garlic scapes, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, and pepper together in a food processor until smooth.

PEA PESTO CROSTINI

Steps:

• Pesto: Pulse together the peas, garlic, Parmesan and salt and pepper in a food processor. With the machine running, slowly add the olive oil until well combined, about 1 to 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer the pesto to a small bowl and set aside.
• Crostini: Preheat a stovetop griddle or grill pan on medium-high heat.
• Brush both sides of the sliced bread with olive oil and griddle until golden, about 1 to 2 minutes.
• Transfer the bread to a clean surface and spread 1 to 2 tablespoons of the prepared pesto on each slice. Top with tomato and serve.
• *Cook's Note: If you don't have day-old bread on hand, you can dry out fresh bread by putting the slices in the oven at 300 degrees F until slightly crisp, about 5 minutes.

PASTA WITH CHOPPED PESTO AND PEAS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. In a small or medium skillet over medium, toast nuts, shaking the skillet occasionally until browned (try one to see), 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board to cool.
• As the nuts cool, into a large bowl, grate the Parmesan on the small holes of a box grater (or pulse chunks in a blender).
• Add the garlic clove and a pinch of salt to the pile of nuts and coarsely chop the nuts and garlic together. Add a handful of the herbs and another pinch of salt, and coarsely chop. (Opt for forceful, purposeful chops as opposed to soft, timid ones.) Toss and smash the mixture every few chops. Repeat with the remaining herbs, salting at each step, until a wet, coarse paste forms. Stir into the cheese, then stir in the olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente. In the last 3 minutes of cooking, add the peas to the pasta. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain. Add the pasta and peas to the pesto and stir to combine. Add pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce. Season to taste with salt, pepper, more oil and more Parmesan.

CHEF JOHN'S GARLIC SCAPE PESTO

Steps:

• Combine garlic scapes, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, olive oil, canola oil, and walnuts in a blender. Blend into a smooth paste. Adjust seasoning if needed.

PACIFIST PESTO

Steps:

• Put chick peas, lemon juice, 1/4 cup of olive oil, garlic and miso (or Parmesan cheese) in a blender or food processor and process until smooth.
• Add one cup of basil leaves and the remainder of the oil and process again until well-blended.
• Add the remainder of the basil leaves and process again until smooth.
• Last, add the walnut pieces and mix briefly.
• Suggestions Serve on top of pasta with tomato sauce or as a spread on bruschetta (toasted slices of French bread rubbed with garlic). Miso can be found in many health food stores and Oriental groceries.