Ever cook with PESTO? Share your recipe ideas, please!

[Aimeedyan]

I bought 2 amazing pesto's at the Harry and David outlet over the weekend, and I know they are very versatile, but I've never cooked with them and are afraid of ruining them! They had it with crackers, and it was good - the guy suggested mixing it with olive oil and using on pasta (I bought sweet italian sausage tortellini today), baking it with chicken, and spreading it on italian bread and baking.

Have you done any of that? Can you elaborate on instructions? How else can I use it?

I got a jar of Sun Dried Tomato and a jar of Artichoke Lemon

Thanks!

 

[Crankyshank]

I cook with pesto a lot!

You can make bruschetta or garlic bread with it, add some olive oil and use it instead of marinara sauce on pasta, use it with olive oil and put it on chicken. I also use it as a pizza sauce on whole wheat crust with sundried tomatoes, fresh mozarella, and chicken.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I cook with pesto a lot!

You can make bruschetta or garlic bread with it, add some olive oil and use it instead of marinara sauce on pasta, use it with olive oil and put it on chicken. I also use it as a pizza sauce on whole wheat crust with sundried tomatoes, fresh mozarella, and chicken.

Do you just mix it in a saucepan on the stove and add olive oil slowly to it until it looks good? And then just pour over pasta? I think that artichoke lemon would be great over the sausage tortellini.

The pizza idea is great!

Thanks!

 

[Sandy22]

Do you just mix it in a saucepan on the stove and add olive oil slowly to it until it looks good? And then just pour over pasta? I think that artichoke lemon would be great over the sausage tortellini.

The pizza idea is great!

Thanks!

The pesto I buy is already mixed in with oil and it specifically says not to heat. Don't know why though. I just toss it with hot fresh pasta. Tasty! Pesto is also delicious as a pizza sauce (especially red pepper pesto).

 

[Mandabella]

MMMmmm...this thread reminds me of creamy pesto with gnocchi and pine nuts....

 

[oogieboogie]

I cook with pesto a lot!

You can make bruschetta or garlic bread with it, add some olive oil and use it instead of marinara sauce on pasta, use it with olive oil and put it on chicken. I also use it as a pizza sauce on whole wheat crust with sundried tomatoes, fresh mozarella, and chicken.

Yumm.... chicken pesto pizza. There's a place here called the Quaker Pie Factory that makes those and they are heavenly!

 

[Crankyshank]

I just mix it in a bowl with a couple of teaspoons of olive oil. no need to heat it

 

[melk]

For an appetizer I slice a tomato then top each slice with a slice of mozzarella cheese and a spoonful of pesto. It's delicious!

 

[SeaSpray]

"Pesto is to the 90's what quiche was to the 80's".

 

[Pooh's Pal]

Try a Turkey Pesto Sub/Sandwich!
Sliced turkey, melted provolone cheese, spread the toasted/grilled roll with pesto sauce!
We use to serve this once a week in a restaurant I used to work in....It was sooooo good! Ummmmm, Most Delicious!