Following a pesto recipe as the author intended is never going to happen for me. I read them and I respect the chef or author, but I always feel I can tweak it just a bit. Pesto is pretty standard, but I took it in a slightly different direction. In my ever-so-humble opinion, I thought it was awesome. See what you think.
What you need:
- ½ cup pine nuts and or a mix with good quality walnuts
- Ground red pepper (cayenne) sprinkle of it
- 8 or so pitted Kalamata olives (you can add more if you’d like)
- ¾ heaping cup of grated cheese. I mixed Locatelli and Parmesan
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 6 cups basil leaves (about 3 bunches)
- ¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil and 2 tablespoons for the nuts
- ½ tsp. kosher salt if needed to taste
What to do:
In a medium sized skillet, cast iron is good, heat about 2-3 tablespoons of good quality olive oil. Add the walnuts, pine nuts, and keep them moving over medium heat for about until 5 minutes. Sprinkle with the cayenne pepper and be light handed, it goes a long way. Add the olives and continue to toss for a few minutes. They will begin to brown and the smell is out of sight!
Transfer to a food processor and let cool.
Add the cheese mixture and garlic and pulse until finely ground.
Add the basil. With the motor running and the lid on, add oil in a slow pour until the pesto takes form and is smooth.
Taste it first and if needed, season with salt.
Author’s Note:
When using the pesto on pizza, you may have to add a little more oil to make it more easily spreadable.
When using the pesto on pasta, reserve a cup of the pasta water before draining and use it to thin out the pesto when tossing with the pasta.
You will taste that subtle cayenne and it is outstanding!
I will post the Peaches and Pancetta Pesto Pizza recipe shortly.
I was just looking for a good pesto recipe because our basil plants are growing like crazy this year. Looking forward to trying yours!
I love pesto. The Kalamata olives threw me off. Sounds great though. Miss you.
U
I miss you too!