Hi and welcome to our Vegetarian Kitchen. We have been on holiday in Italy and have brought back delicious recipes from Tuscany. Pesto is a sauce using Basil,Pine Nuts and Olive Oil and one memorable meal was Gnocchi with Pesto Sauce, on a warm night, outside in a leafy, green square, washed down with their most famous wine, Chianti.
Here is our recipe for Pesto, although you can buy this in a jar from some supermarkets.
PESTO
(6 servings)
INGREDIENTS
2 cups of fresh, chopped basil
Half a cup of Olive Oil
3 tablespoons pine nuts
2 cloves Garlic
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Half a cup of grated Parmesan cheese
METHOD
Put Basil, Olive Oil, Pine nuts,garlic, lemon juice, salt & pepper in a food processor and process at a high speed until well blended to a smooth paste. Now add the grated Parmesan cheese.
Before serving with pasta beat in 2 or 3 tablespoons of hot water.
SERVE with gnocchi or pasta of your choice.
GNOCCHI
INGREDIENTS
1 lb Floury Potatoes diced
7 oz Plain Flour
1 small beaten egg
salt & pepper
METHOD
Boil the diced potatoes for 10 to 15 minutes and mash well. Make sure there are no lumps. Add flour and beaten egg and make a smooth dough.Knead the dough and roll out into a long sausage shape. (about half an inch). Cut into small pieces (about one inch long).
Cook Gnocchi in simering water for 2 to 4 minutes until they rise to the surface. Remove from saucepan gently with a spoon.
Serve with Pesto Sauce and sprinkle with Parmesan.
Serve with a side salad or Rocket leaves.
Gnocchi can be purchased in a vacuum pack from your supermarket if you don't want to make your own.
