Crudites With Pistachio Pecorino Pesto Recipes

CRUDITES WITH PISTACHIO-PECORINO PESTO

Steps:

• Pulse mint in a food processor until finely chopped. Add shallot, lemon juice, cheese, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and oil, and blend until well combined, about 45 seconds. Add pistachios, and pulse until combined but still chunky. Refrigerate 30 minutes and up to 1 day; bring to room temperature before serving.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans; cook until barely tender and bright green, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from water with a bamboo skimmer or a slotted spoon, and transfer to a bowl of ice water. Drain, and pat dry. Return water to a boil, and repeat with wax beans, then asparagus.
• Arrange crudites on a large platter; top with half the sauce. Serve remaining sauce on the side.

PISTACHIO-MINT PESTO

Steps:

• Put the pistachios in a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Add the mint, garlic, lemon zest, red pepper flakes and 1/4 teaspoon salt and pulse until finely chopped. Add the Pecorino-Romano and pulse to combine. With the motor running, slowly pour in the oil and process until combined. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the olives.

SICILIAN PASTA WITH CREAMY PISTACHIO SAUCE

Steps:

• Place the chopped pistachios in a dry pan and toast them until fragrant.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until very al dente, about 2 minutes less than the suggested cooking time. Reserve some of the cooking water.
• Meanwhile, heat a skillet large enough to hold the pasta, on medium high heat. Add the cubed pancetta and cook, stirring, until it has rendered it's fat and is crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer the pancetta to a bowl.
• Add the diced onion to the pan. Cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Stir in about 1/2 of the crushed pistachios and stir to coat.
• Pour in the cooking cream and cook on medium heat for 1 minute.
• Drain the pasta and add to the skillet. Stir in the reserved pancetta and toss to coat the pasta in the cream sauce.
• Add 2 tbsp. of grated cheese to create a creamier consistency. If the sauce is too thick, add a ladle or two of pasta water to thin it as necessary
• Serve immediately garnished with the remaining chopped pistachios and extra grated cheese at the table.