Cilantro Walnut Pesto Recipes

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.

ROASTED CARROTS WITH CILANTRO-WALNUT PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. Pulse the first 6 ingredients in a small food processor until finely chopped. Continue processing, gradually adding oil in a steady stream. Drizzle carrots with herb mixture; toss to coat. Transfer to a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Roast, stirring occasionally, until tender, 20-25 minutes.

CILANTRO WALNUT PESTO

Steps:

• Place walnuts in the bowl of a food processor; process until fine. Add cilantro, jalapeno, salt, vinegar, and 2 tablespoons of water; blend to make a thick sauce, adding in water a tablespoon at a time, if necessary. Taste, and correct seasoning with salt, if necessary. Store refrigerated in an airtight container.

CILANTRO WALNUT PESTO

Steps:

• Heat the walnuts in skillet over medium heat to toast. They are done when they smell slightly toasty and nutty.
• Meanwhile, get to chopping. Start with the garlic then gradually add in the cilantro, cheese, and evenutally the walnuts when toasted. Chop until the mixture is very fine, almost a paste. Add the seasonings, zest and juice and mix.
• Pour a drizzle of olive oil over the pesto slowly until it is saturated. Taste it and adjust the seasonings to your liking.
• When serving, reserve 1/4 cup hot cooking liquid and toss in a bowl with the hot pasta or veggies. Do not cook or it will lose a lot of its flavor. Add extra oil and lemon juice or rice vinegar to make it a dressing. A good dressing ratio is 2 parts oil to one part acid.

QUICK PESTO

Steps:

• With food processor running, drop in garlic and finely chop. Stop motor and add nuts, cheese, salt, pepper, and basil, then process until finely chopped. With motor running, add oil, blending until incorporated. Editor's note: This recipe was originally published in the September 2002 issue of 'Gourmet' and first appeared on Epicurious in August 2004.

CILANTRO-PARSLEY PESTO

Steps:

• Pulse herbs, garlic, salt, and pepper in a food processor until finely chopped. With machine running, add oil in a slow, steady stream.