Chickpeas And Penne With Pecan Red Pepper Pesto Recipes

PAN-FRIED CHICKEN WITH RED PEPPER PESTO

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine red peppers, pine nuts and Parmesan cheese and process until pureed. With machine running, drizzle in olive oil. Set aside.
• In a large well-oiled skillet over medium heat, add chicken and cook for 4 to 6 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
• Transfer to serving plate and top chicken with pesto.

ROASTED SALMON WITH RED PEPPER PESTO

Steps:

• In a blender, place bell peppers, hazelnuts, garlic, lemon juice and zest, vinegar, salt and pepper; pulse to combine.
• With blender running, drizzle in olive oil to form an emulsion.
• Taste and adjust seasonings and/or consistency (add more oil if desired).
• Place the pesto in a bowl and stir in the chives.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Place fillets on a parchment lined baking sheet, season with a little salt and pepper, drizzle with olive oil.
• Roast until salmon is opaque and cooked through, about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Place salmon on individual plates and drizzle with pesto; serve additional pesto on the side.
• NOTE: You will have leftover pesto which can be stored in the refrigerator for about 3 days.

ROASTED GREEN PEPPER PESTO

Steps:

• Cut peppers into quarters and spray lightly with olive oil. Roast under a high broiler for 8 minutes, or until blackened. Place in a paper bag and leave for 5 minutes. Peel.
• Meanwhile, seed and roughly chop hot peppers. Roughly chop garlic.
• Place roasted peppers, hot peppers, garlic and lemon juice in food processor and blend.
• Slowly pour in olive oil while the processor is running, until pesto is desired consistancy. Salt and pepper to taste and slather onto crackers with goat cheese.

GRILLED FLANK STEAK WITH RED PEPPER PESTO

Steps:

• Mix the oil, vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper together, and brush the mixture on the flank steak. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the raw red pepper, shallot, and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the peppers soften, about 5 minutes.
• Add the roasted red peppers and vinegar and cook for 5 minutes more.
• Remove from heat, cool and stir in the basil and the pine nuts.(this can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. It should be served at room temperature.).
• Preheat the grill to high heat.
• Grill the flank steak for 4 to 8 minutes on each side, depending on the desired doneness. Let the steak rest on a carving plate for 1 or 2 minutes before slicing.
• Slice the steak on the bias and serve it with the red pepper pesto.
• For an Asian twist: Substitute 1 tablespoons soy sauce for the balsamic vinegar. Also, add 1 tsp.minced ginger and Dijon mustard to the marinade.

CHICKPEAS AND PENNE WITH PECAN RED PEPPER PESTO

Steps:

• First boil a quarter pound of penne noodles.
• while that is going, saute an onion in some olive oil.
• add the rinsed chickpeas in the pan to roast a little.
• in a blender, add the peppers, garlic, olive oil, chipotle, pecans, salt and pepper, and catsup.
• toss everything together and cook on low heat, just long enough to heat the sauce through.
• squeeze some lemon juice on top and serve.