Chilean Pistou With Cilantro Pesto Recipes

CREAMY CILANTRO PESTO SAUCE

Steps:

• Blend cilantro leaves, cream cheese, artichoke hearts, green onions, basil, jalapeno pepper, lemon juice, and salt in a blender until smooth.

FABULOUS CILANTRO PESTO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta, and return water to a boil. Cook pasta for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain well.
• In an electric food processor or blender, blend cilantro, garlic, vinegar, Parmesan cheese, cayenne pepper, nuts, and salt. Add 1/4 cup of the olive oil, and blend the pesto. Add more olive oil until the pesto reaches your desired consistency.
• Pour pesto in a small saucepan and warm over low heat, stirring constantly, until pesto begins to simmer. Pour over cooked pasta and toss.

CILANTRO PESTO

Steps:

• Place cilantro and cheese in a food processor; cover and pulse until chopped. Add walnuts and lime juice; cover and process until blended. While processing, gradually add oil in a steady stream. Serve with shrimp.

GREEN CHILE-CILANTRO PESTO SAUCE (PASTA)

Steps:

• Puree cilantro, cheese, green chile, jalapeno, pine nuts, and garlic in food processor until smooth, scraping down sides as necessary.
• With processor running, add oil in steady stream until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper.
• Toss pesto with cooked pasta and reserved pasta cooking water, if necessary.

FIRE-ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH WHIPPED CHICKPEAS AND CILANTRO PISTOU

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F. Put a 14-inch cast-iron pan in the oven while it preheats.
• For the cilantro pistou: Combine the cilantro, parsley, lemon juice, 1 to 2 cloves garlic (depending on how spicy you like it), 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper in a blender. Turn on medium speed and drizzle in the olive oil to combine. Blend until it has a smooth consistency. Adjust with olive oil for desired thickness, or flavor with more salt and lemon as needed. Add the chile flakes, if using.
• Add the cauliflower and blended oil to a large bowl. Generously season with salt and toss to combine. Carefully pour into the preheated cast-iron pan and put back in the oven. Roast on the middle rack until brown and tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Crank the heat to broil for last 2 minutes for added color, if desired. (It should have color and be tender but retain a bit of crunch.)
• For the whipped chickpeas: Meanwhile, strain the chickpeas, reserving the liquid in a separate bowl. In a food processor, combine the chickpeas, olive oil, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 cup reserved chickpea liquid (aquafaba) and blend on high for about 2 minutes, scraping down the sides as needed. Add a bit more aquafaba (approximately 2 tablespoons) if the machine is struggling, then add 1 tablespoon at a time of water (up to 1/4 cup) until smooth and light. Season with salt and pepper.
• For the dukkah spice: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Add the hazelnuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, sunflower seeds and fennel seeds to a small food processor and pulse until just combined. (Do not overprocess.) Add to a cast-iron skillet and toast in the oven for 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and season with the olive oil, salt and pepper.
• Generously spread the pillowy chickpea mixture on a platter. Top with the roasted cauliflower, then drizzle over the cilantro pistou and sprinkle generously with the dukkah.

GRILLED CAULIFLOWER WITH CILANTRO PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill to medium-high.
• Add the cauliflower, olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to a large mixing bowl. Toss to coat the cauliflower. Transfer to a grill basket and grill, tossing occasionally, until the cauliflower is charred in places and softened, about 10 minutes. (This can alternatively be done on an indoor grill pan.)
• Transfer the grilled cauliflower to the serving bowl with the Cilantro Pesto and toss to coat.
• Garnish with Cotija cheese and cilantro. Serve immediately or at room temperature.
• Add the olive oil, lime zest, lime juice, pepper flakes and garlic to a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Pulse together until the garlic is finely chopped. Next, add the cilantro and blend until smooth. Add the cashews and Cotija cheese and pulse until the mixture becomes a thick paste and is evenly combined. Transfer the mixture to a serving bowl and set aside until the cauliflower is grilled.

CHIPOTLE CILANTRO PESTO

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine the spinach, cilantro, parsley, pumpkin seeds, cheese, oregano, garlic and chile. Pulse to blend.
• With the motor running, add the oil and lime juice and process for 15 to 20 minutes until well blended.
• Scrape into a container, cover, and refrigerate until ready to use.
• The pesto keeps for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.
• Makes 2 cups.
• IDEA: Substitute chicken broth for oil and use the same day. Shake well before using.
• NOTES : Adjust the "fire" of the adobo (hotter than the chile) to your taste and experience. For more flavor, add tarragon, rosemary, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red bell peppers, roasted eggplant, whatever! Use as a condiment. Dab and swirl into thick soups. Toss onto hot pasta, especially good on polenta-pasta-twists. Add to salsa. The cilantro pesto could be made, I think, with less or no oil - sub broth.