Tomato Pesto Sauce Recipes

ZITI WITH TOMATO-PESTO SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain.
• Meanwhile, in a saucepan over medium-low heat, mix together the pesto and basil tomato sauce. Bring to a simmer, and season with salt to taste. (You can also heat the sauce in a covered microwave-safe bowl: cook on high for one minute.)
• Place pasta in a large serving bowl. Toss with pesto-tomato sauce. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.

ROASTED TOMATO SAUCE WITH PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Place the tomatoes on a baking sheet skin side down. Roast until the tomatoes become soft and fragrant, about 20 minutes. Let stand until cool enough to handle; then chop coarsely.
• Heat 2 teaspoons of the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 clove of the garlic and the onion and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes with all of their liquid. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir in the red-pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Taste and add more salt if needed.
• Meanwhile, bring a small pot of water to the boil. Add the basil leaves and blanch for 5 seconds. Drain and rinse under cold running water. Drain well. Place the basil in a blender with the remaining 2 teaspoons olive oil, the remaining garlic, the pine nuts, cheese and water. Blend until pureed, stopping several times to scrape down the sides of the jar.
• Just before serving, spoon the pesto on top of the tomato sauce and swirl it in to create a marbled effect. Serve over cooked pasta.

SICILIAN TOMATO PESTO

Steps:

• Heat a dry, medium skillet over medium heat. Add the almonds and toast, stirring often, until golden, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool.
• Combine the cooled almonds, tomatoes, basil, parsley, mint, red pepper flakes, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a food processor. Pulse, adding a little bit of the oil at a time, until everything is finely chopped and emulsified. Add the Parmesan and pulse to incorporate. Season with salt to taste.
• Transfer to a serving bowl and serve with the toasted baguette slices. Any leftover pesto can be kept refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

TOMATO PESTO

Steps:

• Combine the tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil, vinegar, and salt and pepper, to taste, in a blender and puree until smooth. Add the cheese and blend briefly just to mix. Transfer to a bowl and adjust the seasoning.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO PESTO

Steps:

• Blend all the ingredients together in a food processor except the olive oil. Start the food processor and drizzle in the olive oil slowly while still mixing. Stop the machine, scrape down the sides, and adjust salt and pepper, according to taste.
• Any leftover pesto can be stored in a jar with a tight fitting lid. Pesto can be refrigerated for up to one week. You can also freeze the pesto in ice cube trays, and this will keep for up to 2 months.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO PESTO

Steps:

• Place sun-dried tomatoes in a bowl and cover with warm water for 5 minutes, or until tender.
• In a food processor or blender combine sun-dried tomatoes, basil, parsley, garlic, pine nuts and onion; process until well blended. Add vinegar, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes and red wine, and process. Stir in olive oil and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt to taste.