Herbaceous Pesto Delight
Elevate your culinary creations with this vibrant Herbaceous Pesto Delight. Packed full of fresh parsley and basil, this versatile sauce not only adds a splash of flavor to your dishes but also doubles as a marinade for meats. Ideal for pasta, grilled chicken, or shrimp, this pesto can be made ahead of time and even frozen for future meals, making it a perfect staple for busy cooks. With its nutty undertones from toasted pine nuts and a rich, creamy texture from Parmesan cheese, you'll find endless ways to enjoy this delicious sauce!
2
Servings
400
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Fresh Parsley
1 bunch (stems removed)
Garlic
5 cloves (hearts removed)
Fresh Basil
1 bunch (stems removed; or 3 tablespoons dried basil)
Parmesan Cheese
1/4 cup (grated)
Toasted Pine Nuts
1/3 cup (toasted)
Olive Oil
1/3 to 1/2 cup (extra virgin, to taste)
Salt
to taste
Black Pepper
to taste
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread pine nuts in a single layer on a cookie sheet and toast them for approximately 3-5 minutes. Keep an eye on them so they don’t burn; they should be lightly golden and aromatic when done.
2
While the pine nuts are toasting, remove the stems from both the parsley and basil, and prepare the garlic by removing the hearts.
3
In a food processor, combine the toasted pine nuts, parsley, basil, garlic, and grated Parmesan cheese. Process the ingredients for about 30 seconds or until they are finely chopped and well-combined.
4
With the food processor running, slowly add in the olive oil in a steady stream. Continue processing until you reach your desired consistency; for a thicker sauce perfect for spreading, use less oil, or add more for a thinner pesto suitable for pasta or marinades.
5
Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
6
Your Herbaceous Pesto Delight is now ready to use! To marinate chicken, use half of the pesto and let the chicken sit for a few hours. Bake the marinated chicken strips at 400°F for about 10 minutes. Toss cooked mostaccioli noodles with the remaining pesto for a delicious meal.
7
This pesto also pairs beautifully with grilled shrimp!
Nutrition Information
35g
Fat
10g
Carbs
7.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Herbaceous Pesto Delight?
It is a vibrant sauce made with fresh parsley and basil that serves as a versatile topping or marinade.
What are the primary ingredients in this pesto?
The main ingredients include fresh parsley, garlic, fresh basil, Parmesan cheese, toasted pine nuts, and olive oil.
How do I toast the pine nuts for this recipe?
Spread the pine nuts in a single layer on a cookie sheet and bake at 350°F for 3-5 minutes until golden.
Can I use dried basil instead of fresh?
Yes, you can substitute 3 tablespoons of dried basil if fresh basil is not available.
How should the garlic be prepared?
The garlic should have the hearts removed before being processed.
What is the best way to add olive oil to the pesto?
With the food processor running, slowly add the olive oil in a steady stream to reach your desired consistency.
How can I make a thicker pesto?
To achieve a thicker consistency suitable for spreading, use less olive oil during the mixing process.
Can this pesto be used as a marinade?
Yes, it works perfectly as a marinade, particularly for meats like chicken.
How do I prepare chicken using this pesto?
Marinate chicken strips in half of the pesto for a few hours, then bake at 400°F for 10 minutes.
Is this recipe suitable for freezing?
Yes, this pesto can be made ahead of time and frozen for future use.
What type of pasta is recommended?
The recipe suggests tossing the pesto with cooked mostaccioli noodles.
Does this pesto pair well with seafood?
Yes, it pairs beautifully with grilled shrimp.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 2 servings.
What are the calories per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 400 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 35 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
Each serving contains 10 grams of carbohydrates.
What is the protein content per serving?
There are 7.5 grams of protein per serving.
How long does it take to process the ingredients?
Process the nuts, herbs, garlic, and cheese for about 30 seconds before adding oil.
What temperature is used for toasting the nuts?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C) for toasting pine nuts.
What type of olive oil should I use?
Extra virgin olive oil is recommended for the best flavor.
Should I remove the stems from the herbs?
Yes, you should remove the stems from both the fresh parsley and the fresh basil.
How much Parmesan cheese is needed?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
How many garlic cloves are in the recipe?
The recipe uses 5 cloves of garlic.
What provides the nutty undertones in the sauce?
The nutty flavor comes from 1/3 cup of toasted pine nuts.
Is there any salt or pepper in the recipe?
Yes, salt and pepper are added to taste at the end of the process.
What is the recipe category?
This recipe is categorized under Sauces.
What is the recipe ID?
The internal ID for this recipe is herbaceous-pesto-delight.
How much parsley is required?
You will need 1 bunch of fresh parsley with the stems removed.
How much basil is required?
You will need 1 bunch of fresh basil or 3 tablespoons of dried basil.
Can I adjust the amount of garlic?
While the recipe calls for 5 cloves, you can adjust the seasoning and garlic levels to your personal preference.