Presto Pesto - Fast and Easy Pesto - Use What's On Hand

Photo courtesy of www.dreamstime.com

Fresh pesto rich with the flavors of pine nuts, Parmesiagno Reggiano cheese, olive oil and basil is one of my favorites whether blended with cream served over pasta, dropped by the tablespoon into a bowl of garden fresh vegetable soup or spread on a slice of toasted rosemary bread, it never fails to satisfy.  Some pesto recipes are made without the cheese and I have also seen it made with peas instead of basil.

I had a craving for pesto but did not have all the ingredients on hand.  A little experimenting lead to a wonderful outcome!  This is a quick fix pesto and the amounts are estimates.

Pesto Presto

Photo courtesy of  www.dreamstime.com

Ingredients:
2 cups frozen spinach
a handful of shelled walnuts
olive oil
Parmesan cheese (shaker style)
2-3 cloves garlic

Cook up frozen spinach per package directions, drain well through tight mesh sieve or squeeze out water in your hand by balling up small amounts of the spinach. Drop into food processor with walnuts, and 2-3 cloves of garlic (per your taste). I added cheese as I went approx. 1/3 cup as you don't want it over power the freshness of the spinach (and by the way you could also use fresh spinach).  Blend.  Drizzle in olive oil from above until you have achieved a nice smooth paste.  Not too oily and not to dry.

Variation: Add well-drained sun-dried tomatoes and blend well into the mix.

Can freeze in small amounts in small baggies for future use to have on hand.

Voila...Pesto Presto!

Quick Pesto Over Pasta

Boil pasta of choice. Drain pasta and return it to the pan.  I used bow tie pasta enough for two servings and added 1 healthy tablespoon of the Presto Pesto along with Trader Joe's Soy Creamer (for a healthier light version) and a splash of chicken broth I had on hand for added flavor.  Heated the pasta with the sauce enough to cook the flavor into the pasta (just a few minutes).  Serve with a sprinkle of Parmesan over the top. 

Variation: steam chopped carrots and broccoli and add in veggies to your pasta dish.

Other ways to use pesto:  As a condiment instead of mayo, mix in with steamed veggies, mix with Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese for a healthy dip, mix with vinegar & oil for a great vinaigrette dressing, rub chicken breasts with olive oil and pesto mix then wrap in foil individually and bake.  Pesto is very versatile...have fun with it.

 Quick, affordable, delicious!