Sunday, January 31, 2010

Green Green Pesto



Little did most kitchens put attention to is on how a touch of pesto extremely modifies dish. Yes, there is an Italian sauce called pesto; traditionally made by hand with a mortar and wooden pestle in the best natural ingredients without preservatives and food coloring.



This genuine Italian specialty spread and sauce is known for its old-country flavor and aroma. So, what is pesto made of and what makes it hearty?  Perhaps a little background will help explain. 

Pesto sauces and spreads have been used in Italian cuisines since the times of the  Romans. The practice of this traditional paste that is typically made of basil,  garlic,  pine nuts, Italian olive oil and Parmesan cheese, has its origin from Genoa in the Italian province of Liguria. This favorite is best used as spread on breads, pizza sauce or pasta, and as a final flavor touch for soup.

In the preparation of pesto spreads and sauces, there is significance in using only the freshest of ingredients because pesto is not cooked. Chefs of today’s generation can choose from either the classic-by-hand method the modern blender method of preparing pesto. The combined culture and fresh character in a pesto has made it another hearty European tradition we all can embrace.

Taste Profile 
The basic ingredient of pesto that is common to all pesto recipes are fresh basil leaves, cheese, pine nuts, garlic and Italian olive oil. The fresh taste and sharpness of basil is maintained in mortar and pestle. Pesto flavors are often very strong therefore it must be used sparingly with care. A small amount is what is usually needed to go the way. Flavors are the taste of combined basil from Liguria and Pignoli from the Italian hills that ranges from light and flavorful to spicy. 

Cooking Suggestion

Pesto spread is perfect when spread evenly on baked pastry to the edge,s as a grilling sauce, burger topping, pizza sauce for pasta, on cooked meats, and in soups. Pesto spreads may be tossed with spaghetti, macaroni, trofie or the classic Lingurian pasta of Genoa. Traditionally, pesto is famous in sandwiches and pizza. Learn how to make fresh and flavorful pesto in very pesto for your own tantalizing recipes.

10 Great Ways to Use Pesto

Storing Pesto

Pesto is valued for its texture and taste and must be stored properly for its many wonderful gourmet uses in enhancing food flavors and invigorating recipes. Store your pesto in a jar and keep it inside the refrigerator.  In preserving homemade or store-brought pesto, pour olive oil over the pesto to seal it from oxygen and to control it from getting spoiled. The fragrance or aroma and flavor of a homemade pesto are on top when stored at room temperature. Once opened, be sure to keep it.