Spicy Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Recipes

SUN-DRIED TOMATO PESTO

Steps:

• Blend all the ingredients in a food processor except the olive oil. Start the food processor and drizzle in the olive oil slowly while still mixing. Stop the machine, scrape down the sides, and adjust salt nad pepper to liking.
• STORING: leftover pesto can be stored in a jar that has a tight fitting lid. Pesto can be refrigerated for up to one week. You can also place pesto into ice cube molds and frozen for up to 2 months.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO PESTO

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Heat an oven to 350 F. Spread out the walnuts on a small baking sheet and toast in the oven until fragrant, about 8 to 10 minutes; let cool completely.
• Pour the reserved sun-dried tomato oil into a liquid measuring cup. Add enough olive oil to the sun-dried tomato oil to make 1/2 cup total.
• Add the walnuts to a food processor and pulse a few times until coarsely chopped.
• Add the sundried tomatoes, oil mixture, basil, Parmesan, garlic, lemon zest, salt, and red pepper flakes (if using).
• Process until the desired consistency is reached, stopping to scrape down the sides once or twice. If needed, add more olive oil in a slow stream (up to 1/4 cup more). If the mixture is too thick, add a tablespoon or two of water to loosen the consistency.
• Taste for seasoning and adjust, if necessary. Use immediately or store in the fridge.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO PESTO

Steps:

• Place sun-dried tomatoes in a bowl and cover with warm water for 5 minutes, or until tender.
• In a food processor or blender combine sun-dried tomatoes, basil, parsley, garlic, pine nuts and onion; process until well blended. Add vinegar, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes and red wine, and process. Stir in olive oil and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt to taste.

SPICY RED PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Prepare the pesto: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, walnuts, tomato paste, garlic and red-pepper flakes. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring, until mixture is toasted and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a bowl to let cool for a few minutes.
• Add the roasted red peppers and Parmesan to a food processor. Top with the cooled tomato mixture and the remaining 2/3 cup olive oil, and pulse the mixture until you form a paste. (It makes 2 cups.)
• Season the boiling water generously with salt, then add the pasta and cook until al dente. Reserve 1 1/2 cups pasta water, then drain the pasta.
• Return the pasta to the pot, along with about 1 1/2 cups of the red pesto and 1 cup of the pasta water, and stir vigorously until the sauce is glossy and the pasta is evenly coated. Stir in additional pesto or pasta water to taste. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Divide among bowls, sprinkle with Parmesan and top with torn basil. Shave some fresh lemon zest on top, if using. Serve immediately.