Grilled Squid With Pumpkin Seed Pesto Africa Recipes

PUMPKIN SEED PESTO

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Combine pumpkin seeds, Parmesan, and garlic in a food processor. Pulse on and off, for about 20 seconds, until seeds are almost ground.
• Add basil, parsley, lemon juice, and olive oil, and pulse on and off for about 40 seconds (you may want to ​scrape down the sides with a spatula in between pulses), until all ingredients are combined. The mixture should be more like a course paste than a liquefied sauce, so be careful not to overprocess.
• Transfer to a bowl or glass storage jar, taste, and adjust seasoning with salt. Be sure to taste, as the pumpkin seeds may have been well salted when they were roasted. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to two days.

GRILLED SQUID

Steps:

• Rub the squid with salt and rinse.
• Slit and flatten the squid sac and make diagonal cuts on the inside surface.
• Cut into bite-sized pieces.
• Set aside in a bowl.
• In another bowl, mix all the ingreduents, EXCEPT THE FIRST FOUR INGREDIENTS, making the marinade. Mix for thirty seconds.
• Put the squid inside the bowl with the marinade and leave for 1 hour.
• When one hour is finished, grill the squid over a charcoal grill until just tender (about three minutes each side).
• Arrange on a serving platter and garnish with half-a-cup of coriander leaves.
• Serve with fish sauce dip.

GRILLED SQUID (CALAMARI)

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients. Put the skewers in a container, cover with water, and soak for at least 30 minutes while you prepare the squid.
• Prepare a high (500 F to 600 F) gas or charcoal grill fire. Rinse the squid under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels.
• Cut the squid bodies lengthwise down one side and open flat.
• Cut the tentacles in half if too large.
• In a bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
• Add the squid bodies and tentacles to the bowl, tossing to evenly coat.
• Thread the squid bodies lengthwise onto skewers so they lie flat.
• Thread the tentacles onto separate skewers.
• Grill, turning once, just until opaque, about 2 minutes.
• Remove the squid from skewers and pile them on a platter.
• Sprinkle with parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

BASIL, LIME AND PUMPKIN SEED PESTO

Steps:

• Lightly toast pumpkin seeds and grind unil they stick to the walls of the food processor. Add the remaining ingredients. Add more olive oil or lime juice to thin if necessary.

PASTA WITH PUMPKIN SEED PESTO

Steps:

• Bring a large saucepan of generously salted water to a boil. Drop the garlic cloves into the boiling water and boil for 30 seconds to temper their sharpness. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cloves to a food processor or blender.
• Drop the pasta into the boiling water and cook until al dente.
• While the pasta cooks, add the pumpkin seeds and a pinch each of salt and pepper to the garlic, and process until very finely ground. Scrape the sides of the bowl and add the basil. Scoop 1/4 cup water from the saucepan with the boiling pasta and pour over the basil. Process the basil until ground to a paste. Add the Parmesan and oil, and pulse just until incorporated. Taste the pesto and season with enough salt and pepper to make it punchy.
• Drain the pasta and rinse under cool water until room temperature. Shake dry, then return to the saucepan, and add the pesto and tomatoes, if using. Stir well until everything is evenly coated. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Divide among dishes to serve right away or airtight containers to pack for lunch. Sprinkle with pumpkin seeds and Parmesan, and serve, or cover and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

PUMPKIN SEED PESTO

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large heavy skillet over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then cook pumpkin seeds with salt and pepper to taste, stirring constantly, until seeds are puffed and beginning to pop (some will brown, but do not let all of them), about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Transfer to a plate and cool completely.
• Pulse seed mixture in a food processor with water, cilantro, scallions, and remaining 4 tablespoons oil until mixture forms a coarse paste (not finely ground). Transfer to a bowl and stir in lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste.

PUMPKIN SEED PESTO

Steps:

• Combine pumpkin seeds, Parmesan and garlic, and process until seeds are finely ground. Add remaining ingredients and blend just enough to combine.

GRILLED SQUID WITH RED WINE SAUCE

Steps:

• Whisk together ¼ cup of oil, 2 tblsps cilantro and half of garlic in a small bowl.
• Using kitchen shears, cut squid bodies down one long side; open flat.
• Using sharp knife, lightly score squid.
• Arrange in large, shallow baking dish in single layer.
• Pour garlic mixture over.
• Let marinate atleast 3 hours or overnight.
• Prepare grill (medium-high heat).
• Heat ¼ cup oil in heavy, large skillet over medium heat.
• Add vegetables, remaining garlic and tentacles.
• Simmer until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes.
• Season.
• Add 2 tblsps cilantro.
• Grill marinated squid just until opaque, about 45 seconds per side.
• Divide sauce among plates.
• Top with squid.