The Many Uses for Pesto Sauce

Pesto sauce is a healthy and tasty sauce for your pasta. Pesto isn't just for pasta. With the help of pesto, you can make healthy and tasty gourmet dishes in seconds.

With all of the things you can do with pesto, it is a great staple to have in the kitchen. Pesto makes your meals taste great in seconds. Best of all, these pesto dishes can compete with those served in five-star restaurants. In fact, top chefs know the versatile uses of pesto. Now you do too.

Pesto can be bought pre-made in the store or you can make it yourself. Most store bought pestos are very good, so using a store bought pesto should not sacrifice quality in your recipes. Below you will find a basic pesto sauce recipe, along with the other recipes, in case you choose to make your own. Making pesto sauce is quick and easy. Whether you use store bought pesto, or make your own, you are in for a treat.

Basic Pesto Sauce

In a blender or food processor, mix the following ingredients together until finely chopped.

- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

- 4 cups fresh basil leaves

- 2 cloves peeled garlic

- 2 tablespoons pine nuts or walnuts

- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

- salt and pepper to taste

(Feel free to alter the pesto ingredients as you wish. The beauty of pesto is that it can be changed. Have fun with it.)

Pesto Vegetables

Coat cooked vegetables with pesto sauce.

This dish is served in a very expensive Malibu restaurant.

Pesto Stuffed Mushrooms

Wash mushrooms.

Remove stems.

Steam mushrooms until tender but not soft and mushy.

Fill inside of mushroom with pesto sauce.

Top with Italian breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese.

Broil for one or two minutes or until tops are golden brown.

Pesto Bread

Spread pesto on french or Italian bread for tasty treat.

Pesto Chicken

Marinate cubed chicken breast in pesto sauce for one hour.

Place chicken and pesto sauce in casserole dish and bake at 375 until thoroughly cooked.

Dip

Mix pesto with mayonnaise (about 50 / 50 mixture, or to taste).

This makes a great dip for vegetables, artichokes or chips.

It can also be used as a sandwich spread in place of mayonnaise.

Gourmet Pizza

Use pesto in place of tomato sauce when making a pizza.

Roasted Pesto Potatoes

Cut red potatoes into quarters and coat with pesto sauce.

Bake in the oven at 425 until tender.

Pesto Steak

For a fancy touch, use pesto as a garnish for steak.

Pesto and Cheese Dip

Melt together pesto with your favorite cheese or cheeses to make a delicious vegetable or chip dip.