Bobby Flay Pesto Recipes

SAGE-LEMON PESTO - BOBBY FLAY

Steps:

• Combine the sage, parsley, garlic, coriander seeds, lemon juice, lemon zest, and pine nuts in a food processor or blender and process until coarsely chopped.
• With the motor running, slowly drizzle in the oil and process until emulsified.
• Add the cheese, salt, and pepper and process 3 to 4 seconds longer.
• Note: The pesto can be made up to 2 days in advance, covered, and refrigerated (or may be frozen). Serve as a topping for grilled chicken or turkey, or on a cracker with some cream-cheese. Makes a nice gift for the holidays in a jar tied with a pretty ribbon.

BLACK BEANS AND RICE WITH CILANTRO PESTO

Steps:

• Place soaked beans in a medium saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until cooked through, about 1 1/2 hours, adding more water if needed. Drain beans into a colander set over a bowl and reserve the cooking liquid from the beans.
• Heat oil in a medium saucepan on the grates of the grill. Add the onions and cook until soft. Add the rice, toss to coat in the oil and onion mixture, and cook for 2 minutes. Add 3 3/4 cups of the bean cooking liquid (if there is not enough liquid, add some water to measure 3 3/4 cups). Season the rice with salt and pepper, stir well, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, place cover on the pot, and cook until rice is just cooked through, about 14 to 16 minutes.
• While the rice is cooking, place cilantro, garlic and pine nuts in a food processor and process until coarsely chopped. With the motor running, add the oil and process until smooth. Add the cheese and process until incorporated. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Place rice and beans in a large bowl, fold in the cilantro pesto, and garnish with the additional chopped cilantro.

BISON TENDERLOIN WITH PIQUILLO PEPPER PESTO AND TAPENADE MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• For the piquillo pepper pesto: Combine the piquillo peppers, Parmesan, pine nuts, garlic, honey and red chile flakes in a food processor and process. While processing, drizzle in enough oil to create an emulsified sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Reserve.
• For the tapenade: Combine the olives, anchovies and garlic in a food processor and process. While processing, drizzle in enough oil to create an emulsified sauce.
• For the mashed potatoes: Put the potatoes in a pot, cover with cold salted water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook until fork-tender, 5 to 7 minutes.
• In a separate saucepan heat up the milk.
• Drain the potatoes well to remove any excess water. Using a ricer, mash the potatoes into a mixing bowl while they are hot. Add the butter, mascarpone and a splash of the hot milk and fold into the potatoes until incorporated. Add just enough milk to achieve a velvety consistency. Season with salt and pepper. To keep warm until serving, place the bowl over a pot of simmering water.
• For the bison: Preheat the broiler on high.
• Place a large saute pan on high heat and add enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle both sides of the bison tenderloins well with salt and pepper and place on the smoking-hot pan to sear. Once a crust has formed on the bottom, remove the meat from the pan and slice it. Return the slices to the pan. Spread the slabs of butter on top of the meat. Season with a little more salt and pepper and place under the broiler until the butter is melted.
• Put the arugula in a bowl, drizzle with extra-virgin oil and toss together. Season with salt and pepper.
• To assemble: Barely fold 2 tablespoons of the tapenade into the potatoes. Place several pieces of the bison on each plate and top with a dollop of the piquillo pepper pesto. Spoon some of the pan butter sauce over the bison and garnish with some arugula. Put a scoop of the tapenade-marbled potatoes next to the bison and garnish with minced chives.

FRITTATA WITH PAN-ROASTED POTATOES, SMOKED MOZZARELLA AND TOMATO-BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• For the tomato-basil pesto: Combine the basil, Parmesan, pine nuts, garlic, and salt and pepper in a food processor and process until smooth. With the machine running, drizzle in the olive oil. Transfer to a bowl and fold in the tomatoes. Set aside.
• For the frittata: Put the potatoes in a saucepan, cover with cold water and add a few tablespoons of salt. Bring to a boil and cook until a skewer inserted into the center meets with no resistance, about 25 minutes. Drain and let cool slightly. Cut the potatoes into 1-inch cubes.
• Preheat the broiler. Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until it begins to shimmer. Add the potato cubes, season with salt and pepper, stir in the thyme and chile flakes, and cook until golden brown all over.
• Whisk together the eggs until light and fluffy, then pour over the potatoes. Scatter the smoked mozzarella on top and season with salt and pepper; stir and briefly fold everything together. Cook until the egg mixture has set on the bottom and is beginning to set up on top. Transfer to the broiler and cook until lightly browned and fluffy, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the frittata from the oven and carefully slide it onto a cutting board. Cut into wedges and serve hot or at room temperature with some of the pesto and a sprinkling of grated Parmesan.

BARBECUED MAHI MAHI WITH YELLOW PEPPER-CILANTRO PESTO

Steps:

• Combine all the rub ingredients in a small bowl.
• Place peppers, garlic, pine nuts, cilantro and cheese in a food processor and process until combined. With the motor running, add the oil and process until emulsified and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Heat grill to high. Brush each fillet on both sides with oil. Rub 1 side of each fillet with 1 tablespoon of the barbecue rub and place on the grill rub side down and cook until slightly charred and a crust has formed, about 2 to 3 minutes. Turn the fish over and grill for 3 to 4 minutes longer or until cooked to medium doneness. Top each fillet with a few tablespoons of the pesto and garnish with cilantro leaves.

AVOCADO RELISH WITH CILANTRO PESTO

Steps:

• Put the garlic, pine nuts, serrano and some salt in a mortar and pestle and mash to a chunky, pesto-like consistency. Add the cilantro and continue to mash; the pesto should be very coarse.
• Put the avocados and lime juice in a bowl and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Gently fold in the pesto until just combined, being careful not to mash the avocado too much.