Pesto is one of those amazing sauces that adds so much flavour to anything you are cooking. It is so versatile and literally every ingredient in this recipe can be altered for what you have on hand.
Pesto contains a few key ingredients, all of which can be substituted for what you have on hand. For pesto, you need a leafy green or herb, an acid, a nut or seed, cheese or nutritional yeast and olive oil. Basil is a classic herb that is used in pesto but I love using arugula, kale, spinach, parsley even stinging nettles will work! As for an acid, lemon juice works well but any vinegar will also do the trick, red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar etc. Pine nuts are typically found in pesto but literally any nut or seed will work. Pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds are a great option to make this sauce nut free! Parmigiana adds a lovely nuttiness but pecorino, gruyere or even nutritional yeast for a vegan option would taste great. And finally, a good quality olive oil to emulsify the sauce and create an amazing creaminess and fresh garlic. As you can see, pesto is unbelievably versatile.
This pesto in particular is made with peppery arugula, fresh lemon juice, garlic cloves, olive oil, parmigiana, pine nuts and salt and pepper. The perfect flavour combination of peppery, creamy and flavourful. I love to enjoy this pesto on grilled chicken or seafood but this of course works well on any pasta as well. I hope you enjoy!
Serves: 4 people
Total Time: 15 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
6-8 cups of arugula
โ cup pine nuts
Juice of half of a lemon
2 garlic cloves
1 cup of freshly grated parmigiana
1/2 cup olive oil
Pinch of salt and pepper
INSTRUCTIONS:
Place the arugula in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until very finely chopped
Add the pine nuts, lemon juice, garlic, parmigiana and salt and pepper and pulse several more times
Slowly add the olive oil while the food processor is still running in a small steady stream. This will help emulsify the mixture and keep the the olive oil from separating
Enjoy as a marinade for fish, seafood or chicken, on fresh pasta or as an appetizer with goat cheese - the possibilities are endless!
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