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Pesto is a colourful and versatile sauce that originated in Italy. It is traditionally made with fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, and cheese. It also functions well as an appetiser dip, a spread on bread, and to add fresh, herby flavour to pasta recipes. Increasing culinary creativity has led to the growth of several pesto variants, creating an endless array of flavour combinations.
The process of making it at home is simple: use a wet grinder, which helps in achieving a smooth and creamy consistency. The delicious flavours and bright colours of fresh herbs and seasonings are preserved by the gradual grinding method, which also avoids heat buildup. Here is a list of pesto sauce varieties which you can effortlessly prepare in your Usha’s wet grinder.
Basil Pesto
Anyone who loves pesto must try this sauce, which is the classic version and known for its fresh, herby flavour. For this, choose fresh and good-quality pine nuts, garlic cloves, basil leaves and parmesan cheese. Add these ingredients to your Usha’s wet grinder. Start grinding and gradually add olive oil until the consistency you want is reached. Lastly, add seasoning to taste with salt and pepper. This pesto goes well as grilled vegetable dressing, spread on sandwiches or adds a fresh touch to pasta recipes.
Image Credit: Freepik
Spinach And Pumpkin Seed Pesto
This sauce is a healthy substitute that blends the nutty flavour of seeds with the health advantages of leafy greens. Rinse fresh spinach and drain any extra water. Add the spinach, garlic cloves, salt, and pumpkin seeds to your Usha's wet grinder. To achieve the correct consistency, add olive oil gradually while blending the mixture. Think about adding some grated parmesan cheese for depth. Use this sauce as a nutritious garnish for cereal bowls, a refreshing dip for crackers, or a colourful sauce for pasta.
Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto
Sun-dried tomato pesto is a rich and tangy sauce that can elevate any dish. To prepare this, get a jar of sun-dried tomatoes, preferably preserved in oil. After that, add tomatoes, garlic cloves, nuts (almonds or walnuts), and olive oil to your wet grinder. Add some fresh basil or a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little spicy flavour.
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Roasted Red Pepper Pesto
This sauce is a bright and smokey substitute that blends nutty flavours with sweet roasted peppers. For this recipe, start by roasting fresh red bell peppers until they are soft and caramelised, or, for convenience, use store-bought jars of them. Add olive oil, garlic, roasted red peppers, and almonds or walnuts to your wet grinder. Then, season with salt and pepper according to taste; also, add a tablespoon of vinegar to improve the overall flavour.
Image Credit: Freepik
Walnut Pesto
This pesto sauce offers heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and adds a delicious earthy touch. To make this, combine lightly roasted walnuts with basil, garlic and parmesan cheese in the grinder. Add olive oil gradually until it becomes creamy. Then add salt and pepper to taste. After it is prepared, store it in an air-tight container.
Lemon Pesto
Lemon pesto has a tangy, refreshing characteristic, making it suitable for various summer dishes. In your wet grinder, mix together fresh basil leaves, cloves, almonds or pine nuts, the zest and juice of lemon to make this. To get the consistency you want, gradually add olive oil to the ingredients. Add grated parmesan cheese for extra taste and depth, adjusting the seasoning as necessary.
Mixed Herb Pesto
To make this, first take fresh cilantro, mint, basil leaves, and parsley and clean them properly. Then add the mixed herbs, garlic cloves, nuts (walnuts or almonds), and shredded cheese to your wet grinder. After that, add olive oil a little at a time while blending the ingredients until it is smooth. You can use this as a spread on crusty toast, in salad dressing, or as a pasta toss.
