Sesame Pesto Recipes

CILANTRO AND SESAME PESTO

Steps:

• Put the sesame seeds in a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Add the cilantro, garlic, lime zest, red pepper flakes and 1/4 teaspoon salt and pulse until finely chopped. Add the manchego and pulse to combine. With the food processor on, slowly pour in the oil and process until combined. Transfer to a bowl.

SESAME PESTO

Steps:

• Toast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat until lightly browned and subtley fragrant. Watch pan carefully because sesame seeds burn easily.
• Set aside to cool.
• Once cooled, place sesame seeds in a blender or food processor and blend until coarsely ground, about 30 seconds total.
• Add the cilantro, parsley, garlic, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Blend mixture using the pulse button setting.
• With machine running, {{gradually}} add the olive oil in a steady, slow stream and process mixture until smooth.
• Store in covered container in refrigerator. Use up within 1 month. Bring to room temperature before serving.

BASIL PECAN PESTO

Steps:

• Blend the basil, pecans, garlic, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, salt, and pepper together in a food processor until the mixture becomes a slightly chunky paste.

MIXED GREENS PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Cook onion and mixed greens and herbs in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender, about 2 minutes. Using a spider or tongs, transfer to a bowl of ice water and swish around in the water to cool down as quickly as possible (this helps retain the bright color). Drain and gently squeeze to remove excess liquid, then press between a double layer of paper towels to remove as much remaining liquid as possible. Reserve pot with greens cooking liquid.
• Process 1/4 cup sesame seeds in a food processor until finely ground. Add onion and greens mixture and 1/4 cup ricotta salata and process until a coarse paste forms. With motor running, stream in 3 Tbsp. oil and process, adding water by the tablespoonful if needed to thin, until pesto is very smooth.
• Heat 1/4 cup oil in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium. Add garlic and cook, stirring often, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add pesto and cook, stirring, until sauce looks like most of the moisture has been cooked out, about 1 minute.
• Meanwhile, bring reserved pot of greens cooking liquid to a boil and cook pasta, stirring occasionally, until very al dente, about 3 minutes less than package directions.
• Using tongs, transfer pasta to pot with pesto and add 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid. Cook, tossing, until each strand of pasta is coated. Remove from heat, add butter, and toss to combine.
• Divide pasta among bowls. Top with more sesame seeds and remaining 1/4 cup ricotta salata and drizzle with oil.