Source: Annapustynnikova, AdobeStockAromatic and versatile, pesto sauce is often used as an ingredient in more complex dishes. It's especially popular in Italian cuisine, where the sauce originated. We've gathered 15 original recipes for appetizers and main courses with pesto sauce to suit every taste!
1. Avocado and Pesto Sandwiches
Source: oprah.comAdd a fried egg on top for an excellent breakfast.
You will need: 1 slice of rye bread, 40g soft cheese, 10g spinach, 4 sprigs of herbs, 50g hard cheese, 1 tbsp pesto sauce, 1/2 avocado.
Preparation: Spread pesto sauce on the bread, layer spinach leaves on top, then thin slices of avocado. Add a slice of hard cheese, then soft cheese, and sprinkle chopped herbs on top. You can cover with a second slice of bread if desired.
2. Vegetable and Pesto Burritos
Source: cookingfor.ruYou can grill some of the vegetables if you have the option.
You will need: 4 tortillas, 4 lettuce leaves, 100g pesto sauce, 100g yogurt, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 2 cucumbers, 1 tomato, 1 bell pepper, 100g red cabbage, 100g corn.
Preparation: Cut all vegetables into strips. Spread pesto sauce on the tortillas, lay a lettuce leaf on each, and arrange the rest of the filling. Mix yogurt with mustard and drizzle over the vegetables. Roll up and fry the burritos on both sides.
3. Zucchini Boats with Cottage Cheese and Pesto
Source: novyefoto.ruAn amazing diet dish and the best proof that healthy recipes are very diverse.
You will need: 2 zucchinis, 250g cottage cheese, 1 egg, 3 tbsp pesto sauce, 50g herbs.
Preparation: Cut the zucchinis lengthwise and scoop out the pulp with a spoon. Mix cottage cheese, pesto sauce, egg, and chopped herbs, then fill the zucchinis with this mixture and bake them for half an hour at 190 degrees Celsius.
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4. Shrimp in Cream Sauce with Pesto
Source: cookpad.comServe shrimp with pasta or any other side dish of your choice.
You will need: 300g peeled shrimp, 40g butter, 40g Parmesan, 240ml 33% cream, 40g pesto sauce.
Preparation: Melt butter in a pan, add cream and spices, and simmer for 5 minutes. Add grated Parmesan and pesto, and cook for another 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens. Add the shrimp and simmer for another 5 minutes until cooked through.
5. Arugula, Strawberry, and Pesto Salad
Source: mykaleidoscope.ruA wonderful light snack for romantic dates and special occasions.
You will need: 100g strawberries, 1 bunch arugula, 2 tbsp pesto sauce, 50g Parmesan, 10ml balsamic vinegar, spices.
Preparation: Halve the strawberries and mix them with arugula and pesto sauce. Season to taste, sprinkle the salad with grated Parmesan, and drizzle with balsamic vinegar.
6. Bruschetta with Jamon, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, and Pesto Sauce
Source: tekhnolog.comThese bruschettas are especially good on slices of dark rye bread.
You will need: 4 slices of bread, 2 tbsp pesto sauce, 6 sun-dried tomatoes, 1 handful arugula, 4 slices of jamon, olive oil, spices.
Preparation: Toast the bread on both sides, drizzle with olive oil, and season. Spread pesto sauce on the bruschettas, layer slices of jamon, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and a couple of arugula leaves.
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7. Tomato Soup with Pesto
Source: za-edoy.ruA few spoons of pesto can be added to almost any soup, but this option is especially good.
You will need: 3 shallots, 1 sprig of thyme, 1 can of diced tomatoes, 1.5 cups water, 1/2 cup cream, 3-4 tbsp pesto sauce.
Preparation: Chop shallots and thyme, and lightly sauté them together. Add crushed canned tomatoes, water, and cream, bring to a boil, and simmer for about 20 minutes over low heat. Blend the soup until smooth and stir in the pesto sauce.
8. Pasta with Chicken and Pesto Sauce
Source: novyefoto.ruItalian pasta should be cooked slightly al dente – not fully cooked.
You will need: 500g pasta, 1 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp vegetable oil, 18 cherry tomatoes, 180g pesto sauce, 200g chicken fillet, spices.
Preparation: Cook the pasta and reserve a cup of the cooking water for later. Dice the chicken fillet, season, and fry until golden brown in a mixture of the two oils. Set the chicken aside and lightly fry halved cherry tomatoes in the same pan, stirring.
Add the chicken, tomatoes, and pesto sauce to the pasta, mix, and gradually add the reserved cooking water to prevent the pasta from being too dry. Serve with fresh vegetables and herbs.
9. Sour Cream and Mayonnaise Sauce with Pesto
Source: cocinayvino.comA vibrant and aromatic dip for any homemade snacks.
You will need: 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, 1/4 cup pesto sauce, 2 tbsp capers, 2 tsp lemon juice and zest, spices.
Preparation: Grate Parmesan in advance and finely chop the capers. Put all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
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10. Couscous with Pesto Sauce
Source: eda.ruA wonderful versatile side dish and a standalone vegetarian meal.
You will need: 80g couscous, 50g pesto sauce, 10g hazelnuts, 3 sprigs parsley, 50g tomatoes, 20g sun-dried tomatoes.
Preparation: Prepare couscous according to package instructions and toss with pesto sauce. Finely chop all other ingredients and mix them with the couscous.
11. Warm Potato Salad with Pesto
Source: hayam-cafe.ruThis salad is more like a side dish in sauce, but either way – it's delicious.
You will need: 900g new potatoes, 1 cup mayonnaise, 4 tbsp pesto sauce, 1 lemon, 1-2 celery stalks.
Preparation: Halve the potatoes and boil until cooked. Finely chop the celery. Mix mayonnaise, pesto sauce, celery, and the juice of 1 lemon, then toss the potatoes with this dressing.
12. Chicken Rolls with Pesto in Bacon
Source: pinterest.comWe recommend making the rolls not too large so they cook evenly.
You will need: 2 chicken breasts, 120g bacon, pesto sauce.
Preparation: Cut the chicken into small cutlets, pound them thin, and spread each with pesto sauce. Roll them up, wrap each with a slice of bacon, and secure with a toothpick. Lightly fry the rolls on all sides and bake for 20 minutes at 190 degrees Celsius under foil, then another 15 minutes at 200 degrees Celsius without foil.
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13. Spaghetti with Cherry Tomatoes, Pesto Sauce, and Mozzarella
Source: za-edoy.ruWe recommend using mozzarella balls – it makes the dish look better.
You will need: 300g spaghetti, 1 bunch basil, 500g cherry tomatoes, 30g pesto sauce, 150g mozzarella, spices.
Preparation: Cook spaghetti until done. Dilute pesto sauce in about half a cup of the spaghetti cooking water. Add halved cherry tomatoes and the spaghetti, mix, arrange on plates, and top with halved mozzarella balls.
14. Caprese with Pesto Sauce
Source: youtube.comA classic presentation of a classic Italian appetizer.
You will need: 120g tomatoes, 20ml olive oil, 120g mozzarella, 20g pesto sauce, 10ml balsamic vinegar, basil and spices.
Preparation: Slice tomatoes and mozzarella into rounds, and arrange them overlapping. Drizzle everything with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, sprinkle with chopped basil and spices, and finally drizzle with pesto sauce.
15. Pork Loin Roll with Pesto
Source: zdorovogotovim.ruThe perfect addition to any meat platter – for any occasion.
You will need: 1.5 kg pork, 5-7 tbsp pesto sauce, spices.
Preparation: Make an incision in the piece of pork, open it up like a book, pound it thin, and rub with spices. Spread a generous layer of pesto sauce on top and roll the meat. Secure it with kitchen twine, place in a baking dish, and bake in the oven for 45 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius under foil, then another 15 minutes at 200 degrees Celsius without foil.