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Pesto is a versatile sauce originating from Italy, traditionally prepared using cheese, pine nuts, olive oil, garlic, and fresh basil. It pairs well with pasta, sandwiches, salads, and marinades and gives a fresh, herby flavour.
For making the sauces the original preferred equipment was a mortar and pestle, but time-saving substitutes are now available in modern kitchens. A hand blender is one of them - a small, powerful device that turns simple ingredients into a flavourful dip. With Usha's 250W hand blender, you can make restaurant-style smooth, creamy pestos in just a couple of minutes at home. Below is a list of pesto sauces you can prepare effortlessly with your Usha's hand blender to elevate your meal.
Basil Pesto
This is the classic version of pesto and is known for its freshness. To prepare the sauce first take fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and garlic cloves. Add all the ingredients in a large jar or bowl. Blend them with Usha's hand blender until they are fine or granular. Then gradually add olive oil and continue blending until the mixture is smooth. Adjust the seasoning (salt and pepper) to your taste. You can drizzle this fresh green pesto over grilled veggies or pair it with spaghetti.
Image Credit: Flickr
Lemon-Herb Pesto
This pesto sauce has tangy, refreshing as well as herby characteristics which are perfect to add an oomph to your summer dishes. To prepare this pesto, put the garlic cloves, walnuts (or any other nut), lemon juice, fresh parsley leaves, and cilantro leaves in a jar. Blend the ingredients with your Usha's hand blender. To get the consistency you want, whether that's smooth or a little lumpy, add a little bit of olive oil. It is perfect for spreading over grilled fish or chicken or serving as a dip for fresh veggies or dressing for salads.
Roasted Garlic & Pine Nut Pesto
This pesto sauce is a rich and savoury flavour which combines the mild sweetness of roasted garlic with the creaminess of nuts. To make this pesto, start roasting the garlic cloves in olive oil for 10 to 15 minutes until they are soft and lightly brown. Let the ingredients cool at room temperature. Put the roasted garlic cloves, pine nuts, fresh basil leaves, Parmesan cheese, a pinch of salt and olive oil in a jar or bowl and blend until smooth. Also, you can add extra oil in between blending if needed to make it smooth. This flavourful pesto goes well with pasta or as a spread on toasted bread.
Image Credit: Freepik
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Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto
Sun-dried tomato pesto has a rich and tangy flavour characteristic which makes it perfect for pasta dishes or as a spread of sandwiches or wraps. To make this, get a jar of sun-dried tomatoes, preferably preserved in oil. After that, put fresh basil leaves, garlic cloves, sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and nuts (walnuts or almonds) in a jar. Blend all the ingredients with your hand blender till they are smooth. Also, add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little spicy flavour. This pesto tastes especially good as a dip for crusty bread or when combined with penne spaghetti.
Image Credit: Flickr
Spinach & Feta Pesto
This pesto is a nutrient-rich option which combines the earthiness of spinach with the creamy tangy flavour of feta cheese. Put lemon juice, olive oil, walnuts (or any nut), crumbled feta cheese, garlic cloves, and fresh spinach leaves in a mixing bowl to make this sauce. Blend with your hand blender till a creamy consistency is reached. You can spread this pesto on sandwiches, combine it with spaghetti, drizzle it over grilled chicken or spread inside pita with grilled vegetables.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
