5.0 from 48 votes
Red Pesto
This is how I like to make red pesto. See the headnotes for various ways to tinker with this recipe to suit your tastes.
Prep Time
30 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 208 kcal
Course:
Condiments
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 2 ounces pine nuts (see headnotes for alternatives)
- 4 ounces sun dried tomatoes, packed in oil
- 4 ounces roasted red peppers
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh oregano (see headnotes for alternatives)
- 1 cup finely grated pecorino (about 1.75 ounces)
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Black pepper and salt to taste
- Zest and juice of a lemon (optional)
Instructions
- Toast the pine nuts in a pan over medium-high heat, tossing them often, until they just barely get a little browning and smell nice. Remove from the pan and let cool. You'd do this same step if you used other nuts, too.
- Chop the tomatoes in a food processor until they form a coarse paste. Scrape down the sides of the processor, then add the pine nuts, red peppers, garlic and oregano. Buzz to combine. You want a coarse paste, not a puree.
- Add the cheese and pulse to combine. With the motor running, slowly pour in the olive oil until combined. Hand stir in any salt, pepper or lemon you want to use. Ditto for any extra olive oil.
- Store in glass jars in the fridge, or freeze until you need it.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- You can use as your herb fresh basil, parsley or even mint.
- Roasted red Hatch or red Anaheim chiles add just enough heat to make things interesting. Or you can skip red peppers and use red pepper flakes.
- The smoked salt adds a nice touch.
- Any hard cheese will do, too. Parmigiano-Reggiano is also traditional.
- Almonds are actually traditional in pesto alla Trapanese, so you can use them, or you can use walnuts for your red pesto.
- Zest and a little juice from a lemon are not normal, but they sure taste good.
Nutrition Information
Calories
208kcal
(10%)
Carbohydrates
9g
(3%)
Protein
6g
(12%)
Fat
18g
(28%)
Saturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Cholesterol
10mg
(3%)
Sodium
304mg
(13%)
Potassium
465mg
(13%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
5g
(10%)
Vitamin A
222IU
(4%)
Vitamin C
10mg
(11%)
Calcium
145mg
(15%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 10servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 208
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 208kcal | 10% |
| Carbohydrates | 9g | 3% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Fat | 18g | 28% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 10mg | 3% |
| Sodium | 304mg | 13% |
| Potassium | 465mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 222IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 10mg | 11% |
| Calcium | 145mg | 15% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.