Best 6 A Lower Fat Pesto Sauce Recipes
Pesto sauce, a vibrant and flavorful sauce originating from the Liguria region of Italy, has captured the hearts of food enthusiasts worldwide. Traditionally crafted using fresh basil, olive oil, pine nuts, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, pesto boasts a rich, nutty flavor and vibrant green hue. This versatile sauce serves as an excellent accompaniment to various dishes, including pasta, pizza, grilled meats, and vegetables. In this article, we present a collection of pesto sauce recipes that cater to diverse dietary needs and preferences. From a classic pesto recipe to a lighter, lower-fat version, and even a vegan alternative, these recipes offer a delightful culinary experience for every palate. Additionally, we explore creative variations of pesto sauce, such as a spicy arugula pesto and a vibrant roasted red pepper pesto, adding a unique twist to your favorite dishes.
Let's cook with our recipes!
LOW FAT PESTO SAUCE
Pesto sauce is great, but it usually has olive oil, not chicken broth. This recipe substitutes with chicken broth.
Provided by Lorane Abari
Categories Sauces
Time 15m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Combine stock and garlic and heat in the microwave on high for 5 minutes (or heat on the stove). Allow to cool.
- Chop basil in food processor. Add cooled stock, Parmesan cheese and pine nuts. Whirl until everything is finely chopped and blended.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta of your choice. Toss sauce with pasta. Serve with additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Use as a topping for fish, chicken or potatoes also. Makes 4 servings.
LIGHTER BASIL PESTO
Basil pesto is one of my favorite foods, especially in the summer. Unfortunately pesto is very high in fat and calories, so I have been working to create a lower fat and calorie version. This pesto is creamy and delicious without the guilt! This recipe is also great with any type of stock or nuts that you have at home.
Provided by Jtallent
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Sauce Recipes Pasta Sauce Recipes
Time 15m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Chop basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor. Add ricotta cheese to the basil mixture and process. Repeat with Parmesan cheese, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Add vegetable broth and process until sauce is smooth. Add more broth if pesto is too thick.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 42 calories, Carbohydrate 1.3 g, Cholesterol 4.6 mg, Fat 3.1 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 2.5 g, SaturatedFat 1.1 g, Sodium 55.6 mg, Sugar 0.2 g
NUT FREE BASIL PESTO WITH LEMON [NO OIL]
Steps:
- Add all the ingredients except the water to a food processor or blender. Process until smooth and scrape down the sides as needed.
- Add 1 tablespoon of water at a time, as needed to reach desired consistency.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 5 kcal, Carbohydrate 1 g, Protein 1 g, Fat 1 g, Sodium 195 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g, ServingSize 1 serving
QUICK PESTO
This classic Italian pesto recipe comes together quickly thanks to a food processor. Freeze extra for homemade pesto well beyond basil season.
Provided by Amy Mastrangelo
Yield Makes about 1⅓ cups
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- With food processor running, drop in garlic and finely chop. Stop motor and add nuts, cheese, salt, pepper, and basil, then process until finely chopped. With motor running, add oil, blending until incorporated. Editor's note: This recipe was originally published in the September 2002 issue of 'Gourmet' and first appeared on Epicurious in August 2004.
BASIC PESTO SAUCE
The key to making creamy pesto is to add the ingredients to the food processor in the right order to ensure that the nuts break down to a fine paste before the greens have a chance to turn brown. Use basic basil pesto as a pasta sauce, or thin it out with a little olive oil to drizzle it over steak, chicken, fish, pizza or tomato salad. The mint-pistachio variation is inspired by the chef Travis Lett, of Gjelina in Venice, Calif.
Provided by Samin Nosrat
Categories quick, sauces and gravies, side dish
Time 20m
Yield 1 2/3 cups
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Pulse pine nuts in a food processor until they're completely broken down. Stop to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula from time to time. Add olive oil and garlic and pulse until garlic is finely chopped.
- Chop basil very roughly - just run a knife through it once or twice to cut most of the leaves into halves or thirds - then add to food processor. Pulse, stopping every 15 seconds to push the leaves down with a rubber spatula, until basil is entirely worked into the oil. Pulse for another few seconds, and then stop to prevent turning the basil brown.
- Pour pesto base into a bowl and add grated cheese and salt. Stir to combine, then taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Leave the sauce thick to toss with cooked pasta and a little pasta cooking water. To use the pesto as a garnish for grilled or roasted meats, fish and vegetables, thin it out with 2 to 3 more tablespoons olive oil until it's the consistency of a loose paste. To store leftovers, pour a little more olive oil over the pesto to cover. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to three days.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 168, UnsaturatedFat 13 grams, Carbohydrate 1 gram, Fat 17 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 3 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 88 milligrams, Sugar 0 grams
HEALTHY CREAMY PESTO SAUCE
This is a recipe I make over and over--it's simple, fast, healthy, inexpensive and good for any season/occasion. I love creamy pesto sauces over pasta, but ya know those sauces ain't so healthy: high in fat, sodium, or both. Even those little packets of creamy pesto sauce in the "gravy" aisle aren't good for you. This sauce is better for you and even faster to make than one of those packets! You can adjust to taste or what you have on hand: I've used fat-free yoghurt, low fat yoghurt and (my favourite) homemade yoghurt--you can buy fresh at an Indian grocer. The recipe makes about a cup, which you can mix with cooked chicken or sauteed mushrooms (or both, like I do!) or steamed clams or steamed veggies and pour over enough cooked pasta for 2-4 people. I'll post other recipes with some of my favourite uses, but be creative!
Provided by bikerchick
Categories Sauces
Time 2m
Yield 2-4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Mix yoghurt and pesto together in a small saucepan, stirring well to blend.
- Heat on low until warmed through (do not overheat).
- Add fresh ground black pepper to taste.
- That's it!
- Serve over your favourite hot pasta or other main dish, such as fish or chicken.
- (if you skip the heating step, this makes a good salad dressing, too).
Nutrition Facts : Calories 91.7, Fat 4.2, SaturatedFat 2.6, Cholesterol 15.9, Sodium 58.6, Carbohydrate 9.8, Fiber 2.7, Sugar 5.8, Protein 5.2
Tips:
- Use fresh basil: Fresh basil is essential for a flavorful pesto sauce. If you can't find fresh basil, you can use a combination of fresh and dried basil, but the flavor will be less intense.
- Don't over-process the sauce: Pesto sauce should be chunky, not smooth. Pulse the ingredients in a food processor or blender until they are well combined, but don't overdo it.
- Use a good quality olive oil: The olive oil you use will make a big difference in the flavor of your pesto sauce. Choose a good quality extra virgin olive oil that has a fruity flavor.
- Season to taste: Pesto sauce can be seasoned with salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices to your liking. Taste the sauce before serving and adjust the seasonings as needed.
- Use pesto sauce as a marinade: Pesto sauce makes a great marinade for chicken, fish, or vegetables. Marinate the food in the pesto sauce for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
Conclusion:
Pesto sauce is a versatile and delicious condiment that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With its bright green color and nutty flavor, pesto sauce is a great way to add flavor and interest to your meals.
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