Best 20 Arugula Pesto Recipes

ARUGULA PESTO

Steps:

• Turn on a food processor fitted with the steel blade, and drop in the garlic cloves. When they are chopped and adhering to the sides, stop the machine, scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the walnuts. Turn on the machine, and process until they are finely ground. Scrape down the bowl again, and add the arugula and the salt. Pulse until the arugula is finely chopped, then turn on the machine and run while you slowly drizzle in the olive oil. When the mixture is smooth, stop the machine, scrape down the sides and process for another 30 seconds or so. Scrape out into the bowl of a mortar and pestle. Grind the mixture with the pestle for a smoother texture. Work in the cheese and combine well.

ARUGULA PESTO

Steps:

• Prepare an ice water bath in a large bowl, and bring a large pot of water to a boil. Put the arugula in a large sieve and plunge it into the boiling water. Immediately immerse all the arugula and stir so that it blanches evenly. Blanch for about 15 seconds. Remove, shake off the excess water, then plunge the arugula into the ice water bath and stir again so it cools as fast as possible. Drain well.
• Squeeze the water out of the arugula with your hands until very dry. Roughly chop the arugula and put in a blender. Add the garlic, salt and pepper to taste, olive oil, 2 tablespoons of the pine nuts, and the vitamin C, if using. Blend for at least 30 seconds. In this way the green of the arugula will thoroughly color the oil. Add the cheese and pulse to combine. The pesto will keep several days in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator.
• Pull out before dinner to get to room temperature. Before serving, add the remaining 1 tablespoon toasted pinenuts.

ARUGULA PESTO

Steps:

• 1. In a food processor, combine the walnuts, garlic, arugula, Parmesan, and 1 tsp salt and pulse to blend. With the machine running, pour in the olive oil through the food tube in a slow, steady stream and process until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Taste and adjust the seasonings.

ARUGULA AND WALNUT PESTO

Steps:

• Brown 6 garlic cloves with their peels on in a skillet over medium high heat until the garlic is lightly browned in places, about 10 minutes. Remove the garlic from the pan, cool, and remove the skins.
• Toast the nuts in a pan over medium heat until lightly brown, or heat in a microwave on high heat for a minute or two until you get that roasted flavor. In our microwave it takes 2 minutes.
• Combine the arugula, walnuts, roasted and raw garlic into a food processor. Pulse while drizzling the olive oil into the processor. Remove the mixture from the processor and put it into a bowl. Stir in the Parmesan cheese.
• Because the pesto is so dependent on the individual ingredients, and the strength of the ingredients depends on the season or variety, test it and add more of the ingredients to taste.
• Mix with freshly prepared pasta of your choice. You may need to add a little bit of water or more olive oil to mix the pesto more evenly with the pasta.
• Makes enough pesto sauce for an ample serving of pasta for four people.

VEGETABLE AND BEAN SOUP WITH PESTO: MINESTRONE ALLA GENOVESE AND SANDWICHES WITH ARUGULA AND HAM: PANINI CON RUCOLA E PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Heat a medium soup pot over medium high heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan. Add onion, potato and zucchini and season with salt and pepper. Cook 5 or 6 minutes alone, stirring frequently, then add the canned beans and the chicken stock. Cover the pot and bring the soup up to a boil.
• Preheat a panini grill or a heavy bottomed pan over medium heat. Build 4 panini: spread roll or bread with a couple ounces of cheese, then top with a few leaves of arugula and 2 slices of prosciutto for each sandwich. Place panini in sandwich press or onto hot, heavy bottomed pan. Top with another heavy skillet or a brick wrapped in foil to press sandwiches. Press sandwiches until crisp on both sides, 2 to 3 minutes on each side.
• When the soup is at a boil, remove the lid. Stir in the noodles and green beans and reduce heat to low. Simmer soup an additional 5 to 6 minutes then remove it from the heat.
• Combine basil, garlic, nuts and cheese in the food processor and turn it on. Stream in the extra-virgin olive oil and process until pesto is nearly smooth.
• Scrape the pesto into a small bowl. Add a ladle of the soup broth to thin the pesto, then add the pesto to the soup. Stir to combine and serve soup immediately with panini, for dipping.

PENNE WITH ARUGULA AND WALNUT PESTO

Steps:

• In a small saucepan over medium heat cook garlic in oil 5 minutes, then remove pan from stove top. Fill the food processor with arugula, loosely packed. Add walnuts and 1/2 of the warm oil and both cloves of garlic to the arugula in the processor. Add nutmeg, salt and pepper to the processor bowl, set lid in place and pulse grind the mixture into a thick paste. Add any remaining arugula to the processor and grind into the paste by pulsing the processor again. Transfer arugula paste to a large pasta bowl. Stir in the remaining oil and the cheese. Taste pesto sauce and adjust seasonings.
• While cooking penne to package directions for al dente, watch the time. After about 6 minutes, add green beans to the pasta pot. The beans will cook along with pasta the last 2 or 3 minutes. Drain pasta and beans together in a colander then transfer hot pasta and beans to the pasta bowl with the pesto in the bottom. Toss pasta and beans with pesto for 2 to 3 minutes to combine and evenly coat the pasta and beans with the pesto sauce. Serve immediately.

ARUGULA PESTO CHICKEN

Steps:

• Pulse arugula, basil, pine nuts, garlic and 1 teaspoon salt in a food processor until chopped. While processing, gradually add 1/4 cup oil in a steady stream until mixture is smooth. Using a shredder or spiralizer, shred zucchini lengthwise into long strands., In a large skillet, heat remaining oil over medium heat. Add zucchini strands and chicken. Cook and stir until zucchini is crisp-tender, about 4 minutes., Remove from heat. Add tomatoes, pesto, pepper and remaining salt; toss to coat. If desired, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Serve using a slotted spoon.,

PASTA WITH ARUGULA PESTO

Steps:

• Combine the walnuts, garlic, arugula, and cilantro or basil in a food processor or blender. Whirl them just until they are coarsely chopped. While the machine is running, add the olive oil in a thin stream. Transfer the pesto to a bowl. (At this point the pesto can be frozen. Thaw it before proceeding.)
• Stir the Parmesan cheese, salt, and cayenne into the pesto
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta, and cook it, stirring occasionally, until it is just tender. Drain the pasta, return it to the empty pot, and toss it with the pesto, adding a tablespoon or two of water if necessary to distribute the pesto evenly.
• Transfer the pasta to a serving bowl or to individual plates, garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and serve.

CHEF JOHN'S ALMOND ARUGULA PESTO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add arugula and cook until bright green, about 30 seconds. Remove arugula to a bowl full of ice water for several minutes until cold. Drain and wring out arugula.
• Pulse arugula, olive oil, almonds, and garlic together in a blender, scraping down the sides, until mixture just becomes a coarse puree. Pour puree into a bowl and season with salt.

SHRIMP AND POTATO SALAD WITH ARUGULA PESTO

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a large saucepan, cover with cold water and season with salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle boil and cook until fork-tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the potatoes with a slotted spoon to a large bowl, leaving the water in the pot.
• Fill a separate large bowl with ice water. Return the pot of water to a boil, add the green beans and cook until crisp-tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and transfer to the ice water. Drain the beans again and add to the potatoes. Add the cherry tomatoes.
• Combine 2 cups arugula, 1/4 cup olive oil, the pine nuts, Parmesan, half of the garlic, half of the lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a food processor. Process until smooth. Pour the pesto over the vegetables and toss to coat.
• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add the red pepper flakes and remaining garlic and cook 30 seconds. Add the shrimp, sprinkle with the lemon zest and season with salt and pepper. Cook, turning once, until pink, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• Toss the remaining arugula, 1 tablespoon olive oil and the lemon juice in a bowl; season with salt and pepper. Divide the arugula among shallow bowls and top with the vegetables and shrimp.

PENNE WITH SUGAR SNAP PEAS AND ARUGULA PESTO

Steps:

• To prepare the penne:
• In a large saucepan of salted boiling water blanch the sugar snap peas for 45 seconds, or until they are crisp-tender, transfer them with a skimmer to a large serving bowl, and toss them with 1/2 cup of the pesto. In the boiling water cook the pasta until it is al dente, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta-cooking water, and drain the pasta in a colander. In the bowl with the sugar snap peas toss the pasta with the reserved pasta-cooking water, 1/4 cup of the remaining pesto, or to taste, and salt and pepper to taste.
• To make the pesto:
• In a food processor combine the arugula, the walnuts, the Parmesan or Sardo, the salt, and the garlic and pulse the motor until the walnuts are chopped fine. With the motor running add the oil in a stream and blend the pesto with hot cooked pasta, potatoes, or vegetables. The pesto keeps, chilled, its surface covered with plastic wrap, for 2 weeks. Makes about 2 cups.

CHICKEN WITH ARUGULA PESTO

Steps:

• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs; about 3 minutes before the pasta is done, add the green beans. Drain the pasta and beans and rinse under cold water. Toss with half of the cheese, 1 tablespoon olive oil, the lemon zest and salt.
• Preheat the broiler. Puree the arugula, parsley, nuts, lemon juice, 3 tablespoons water, the remaining cheese and 1 tablespoon olive oil, and salt to taste in a food processor. Transfer to a bowl.
• Place the chicken breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound to about 1/2 inch thick. Transfer to a foil-lined baking sheet and season with salt. Rub all over with 1/4 cup of the arugula pesto and broil, turning once, until cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes per side.
• Arrange the tomatoes cut-side up on another baking sheet and broil 2 minutes. Spread each with some pesto and sprinkle with the breadcrumbs. Broil until golden, 1 more minute. Serve the chicken, tomatoes and pasta salad with the remaining pesto.

PESTO WITH ARUGULA

Steps:

• Place the arugula, basil, pine nuts, garlic, and olives in a food processor, and chop to a coarse paste. Mix in olive oil, lime juice, vinegar, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Process until well blended and smooth.

PASTA WITH ARUGULA, GOAT CHEESE AND SUN-DRIED TOMATO PESTO

Steps:

• In food processor, pulse sun-dried tomatoes, oil, walnuts, garlic, Parmesan, 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/8 teaspoons pepper until smooth, about fifteen 2-second pulses, scraping down bowl as needed. Transfer to small bowl.
• Bring 4 quarts water to rolling boil, covered, in stockpot. Stir in pasta and 1 tablespoons salt; cook until al dente. Drain, reserving 3/4 cup cooking water, and return pasta to stockpot; immediately stir in arugula until wilted. Stir pasta cooking water into pesto; stir pesto into salad. Serve immediately. dotting individual bowls with 1/2 inch pieces goat cheese.

FARMSTAND TOMATO SOUP WITH ARUGULA PESTO

Steps:

• To Make the Soup:
• Preheat the oven to 400°F. Set the cored tomatoes on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and roast them until they look wrinkly, about 30 minutes; set aside. While the tomatoes cool, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a small sauté pan. Add the shallots and 2 cloves chopped garlic and sauté over medium-low heat until they turn golden brown and caramelized, 15 to 20 minutes; set aside.
• When the tomatoes are cool enough to handle, peel off the skins, which should slip off easily. Put the peeled tomatoes in the jar of a blender along with the sautéed shallots and garlic, crushed tomatoes (with juice), 1 tablespoon salt, and sugar. Process until the soup is smooth. Stir in the cream and vodka, if desired. Refrigerate in a covered bowl for at least 6 hours, or preferably overnight.
• To Make the Pesto:
• Toast the pine nuts, stirring occasionally, in a skillet set on medium heat until they turn golden brown, about 4 minutes. Combine the arugula, pine nuts, 2 cloves garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and lemon juice in the jar of a blender or the work bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade, then slowly add in the olive oil through the feed tube and process. Transfer the pesto to a bowl and stir in the Parmesan.
• To Serve:
• Ladle the chilled soup into individual serving bowls, and swirl 1 tablespoon of pesto into each.
• Do it early
• The soup can be made up to 4 days in advance and refrigerated. Ditto for the pesto. Both should be well covered. Arugula pesto does not brown when exposed to oxygen as does its more common cousin, basil pesto.
• Variation
• The more traditional-minded may prefer a basil pesto. Also, you can eliminate the cream and top the soup with a dollop of crème fraîche or Greek-style yogurt and a drizzle of pesto.

LINGUINE WITH PECAN ARUGULA PESTO

Steps:

• Finely chop 1/4 cup pecans (preferably with a knife).
• Mash garlic to a paste with salt using a mortar and pestle (or mince and mash with a large heavy knife). Blend remaining 1/2cup pecans, arugula, cheese, oil, pepper, and garlic paste in a food processor until smooth, about 1 minute.
• Cook pasta in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water until al dente, 10 to 12 minutes. Ladle out and reserve 1 1/2 cups cooking water. Drain pasta in a colander, then return to pot and toss with pesto, 1/2 cup cooking water, and chopped pecans, adding more cooking water as necessary if pasta seems dry.

BAKED TILAPIA WITH ARUGULA AND PECAN PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
• Combine 3 cups arugula, garlic, pecans, olive oil, 1/4 CUP Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, black pepper, and lemon juice in a blender and blend until it reaches the consistency of a pesto sauce.
• Spread 1/2 cup arugula on the prepared baking pan. Place the tilapia fillets on the arugula. Spread the remaining pesto generously on top of fillets. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese on the pesto.
• Bake in preheated oven until fish flakes easily, about 20 minutes.

WILD MUSHROOM STRUDEL WITH ARUGULA PESTO

Steps:

• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add shallots, tomatoes, garlic, basil, 2 teaspoons thyme and rosemary; sauté 2 minutes. Add mushrooms; sauté until very tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper. Cool.
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Butter baking sheet. Melt 3 tablespoons butter in small saucepan. Place kitchen towel on work surface. Top with 1 phyllo sheet (keep remaining phyllo sheets covered with plastic wrap and damp towel). Brush with melted butter. Top with phyllo sheet; brush with butter. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon thyme. Repeat layering with 2 more phyllo sheets, brushing with butter and sprinkling with remaining 1/2 teaspoon thyme. Top with another phyllo sheet; brush with butter.
• Starting 1 1/2 inches in from 1 long side and 2 inches in from each short side, spoon mushroom mixture onto phyllo in 2 1/2-inch-diameter log parallel to long sides. Fold short sides over filling; brush folded edges with butter. Using towel as aid and starting on long side nearer filling, roll up strudel jelly-roll style. Using spatula, transfer strudel to prepared baking sheet, seam side down. Brush strudel with butter. Freeze 5 minutes.
• Bake strudel until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Cut strudel into slices. Serve with Arugula Pesto.

PUMPKIN SEED ARUGULA PESTO SAUCE (VEGAN)

Steps:

• Toast the pumpkin seeds by placing them in a skillet on medium heat until they start to brown a bit. (Or by placing in a baking dish in the oven at 475F for 8-10 minutes.).
• Place the toasted seeds in a food processor and grind until fine.
• Add the garlic and salt then pulse again.
• While the food processor is running, add handfuls of arugula and parsley through the top opening of the machine.
• Keep adding as these get blended in until all of the greens are incorporated.
• Pour the oil through the top opening and continue blending.
• You might have to stop occasionally to scrape down the sides of the food processor.
• Add more salt or oil to reach your desired flavor, then scoop the sauce into a jar, it will keep for about a week.

ARUGULA PESTO

Steps:

• To make the pesto, zest and juice the lemon, straining out the seeds, and add both to the bowl of a food processor. Add the garlic, arugula, Pecorino, almonds, red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste. Pulse everything until it's finely chopped, scraping down the sides of the bowl.
• With the food processor running, slowly pour in the olive oil until everything is blended into a paste. Taste and add more salt, pepper, lemon juice or olive oil if needed. Transfer the pesto to an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 10 days.