Walnut And Ricotta Pesto Michael Chiarello Recipes

WALNUT AND RICOTTA PESTO - MICHAEL CHIARELLO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Ready a baking sheet and spread the walnuts on in a single layer, then place in the oven and toast until fragrant and lightly browned, about 10 minutes.
• Remove from oven and let cool, then chop coarsely.
• In a small skillet over medium high temperature, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil then add the garlic and sauté until lightly golden.
• Transfer the garlic into a food processor or mortar and add the basil leaves and toasted walnuts, then process or grind until minced well.
• Add the ricotta, the remaining oil (3 tablespoons), and lemon zest and process until well blended.
• Transfer mixture to a bowl, stir in the pecorino cheese, and season to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
• Serve over 1 1/2 pounds cooked pasta or use as a dip.

"BLANCHED" BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• Prepare a bowl of ice water. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Put the basil and parsley in a sieve and plunge it into the boiling water, pushing the leaves down into the water and stirring them so they blanch evenly. Blanch for 15 seconds, then plunge the herbs into the ice water to stop the cooking. Drain immediately, squeeze the herbs dry, and roughly chop.
• In a blender, puree the herbs with the oil, pine nuts, garlic, salt, pepper, and ascorbic acid. When well blended, add the cheese and whir briefly just to mix. Transfer to a bowl and adjust the seasoning. Store the pesto in a small, covered container in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 weeks. Or freeze the pesto for as long as 1 month.

GRILLED PIZZA WITH RICOTTA AND PESTO

Steps:

• Prepare a medium-hot fire in your grill, or heat a cast-iron grill pan over medium heat.
• Roll the pizza dough into 8 small pizzas, each about 1/8-inch thick and 3 inches round.
• Lightly brush both sides of the pizzas with oil. Grill the pizzas over medium heat until the first side is nicely browned and firm to the touch, 3 to 5 minutes. Turn the pizzas over on the grill. Spoon about 2 teaspoons of pesto on each pizza, spreading it to the edges. On top of each pizza, spoon 4 teaspoons of ricotta cheese, in little balls. Cook the pizzas until the ricotta just begins to melt, 3 to 5 minutes from the moment you turned the pizzas. Sprinkle Parmesan over the top of each pizza. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Serve warm.