Best 5 Chef Johns Garlic Scape Pesto Recipes

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Garlic scapes, the curly green stalks that grow from hardneck garlic, are a delicious and versatile ingredient that can be used to make a variety of dishes, including this flavorful pesto.

Chef John's GarlicScape Pesto is a vibrant and aromatic condiment that's perfect for adding a pop of flavor to grilled meats, fish, and vegetables. It's also delicious spread on sandwiches or used as a dip for crackers or bread. The recipe is easy to follow and can be made in just a few minutes using a food processor or blender.

The article also includes a recipe for Garlic Scape Pesto Pasta, a simple but satisfying dish that's perfect for a weeknight meal. The pesto is tossed with cooked pasta, Parmesan cheese, and a bit of olive oil, creating a creamy and flavorful sauce. The pasta can be served hot or cold, and it's also a great option for a packed lunch.

For those who love to experiment in the kitchen, the article also includes a recipe for Garlic Scape Pesto Pizza. This unique pizza features a pesto-based sauce, mozzarella cheese, and a variety of toppings, such as grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, or fresh herbs. The pizza is baked until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Whether you're a fan of pesto or just looking for a new way to use garlic scapes, these recipes are sure to please. They're all easy to make and packed with flavor, so you can enjoy them all season long.

Let's cook with our recipes!

PROPER PESTO



Proper Pesto image

There are lots of recipes people claim taste better if made by hand, but there's no easier case to prove that than pesto. The intensity of the flavors is beyond compare, and as if by some kind of magic, this gorgeous spread develops an addictive spiciness. You can taste each ingredient, and yet when smashed together, new and wonderful flavors are released.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Pasta Sauce Recipes     Vegetarian

Time 35m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 6

4 cloves garlic, peeled
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
1 large bunch fresh basil
3 tablespoons pine nuts
2 ounces finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
½ cup mild extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

  • Crush garlic and pinch of kosher salt in a mortar with the pestle until garlic is mashed and paste-like, 1 or 2 minutes. Add basil in 3 or 4 additions, crushing and pounding down the leaves until they form a fairly fine paste, about 8 minutes or more depending on size of leaves and thickness of stems. Add and pound in pine nuts.
  • Transfer a handful of grated cheese to mortar and pound into the sauce. Add another handful of cheese and incorporate into the mixture. Continue adding cheese a handful at a time until completely incorporated, about 5 minutes.
  • Drizzle in olive oil 1 tablespoon at a time, pounding it into the sauce. When all the olive oil has been added and emulsified into the mixture, transfer pesto to a bowl and drizzle surface with olive oil.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 180.7 calories, Carbohydrate 1.7 g, Cholesterol 6.2 mg, Fat 17.8 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 4.1 g, SaturatedFat 3.4 g, Sodium 169.4 mg, Sugar 0.2 g

GARLIC SCAPE PESTO



Garlic Scape Pesto image

The star of this pesto is the garlic plant's underappreciated second offering: the fleeting garlic scape. The ingredients are straightforward except for the substitution of sunflower seeds for pine nuts. The seeds are a fraction of the cost and do the job just as well. A food processor is a must for this recipe. For pesto, ingredient order matters. Start with the scapes and process for about 30 seconds. Add the seeds until they are broken down and mixed well with the scapes. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula for wandering bits. Next, pour in the olive oil. If you have Parmesan cheese in chunks, add it now, but if it is grated, wait until the scapes and seeds smooth out. If you're serving right away, add the basil and lemon juice. If not, hold back on the basil for now - otherwise the pesto will lose its vibrant color. Add generously to cooked spaghetti or spread on crusty bread.

Provided by Jeff Schwarz And Greg Kessler

Categories     easy, quick

Time 3m

Yield About 1 cup

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 cup garlic scapes, sliced crosswise (about 10 to 12 scapes)
¼ cup raw sunflower seeds
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup Parmesan cheese
½ cup basil leaves
Juice of one lemon

Steps:

  • Place the garlic scapes in a food processor and pulse for 30 seconds.
  • Add the sunflower seeds and pulse for 30 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
  • Add the olive oil and process on high for 15 seconds.
  • Add the Parmesan cheese and pulse until the ingredients are combined.
  • Add the basil and lemon juice, and process until reaching the desired consistency.
  • Add salt to taste and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 773, UnsaturatedFat 49 grams, Carbohydrate 48 grams, Fat 61 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 15 grams, SaturatedFat 10 grams, Sodium 219 milligrams, Sugar 2 grams

GARLIC SCAPE PESTO



Garlic Scape Pesto image

Garlic scapes, the curled flower from the top of a garlic plant, are abundant at farmers markets and CSAs (community supported agriculture shares) in spring and make an easy, fragrant pesto that can be spread on bread or crackers, put on pasta, used with fish, and as a substitute for garlic, onion, or scallions! Add to sandwiches, pasta, lamb, and fish dishes. Tastes great mixed with mayo.

Provided by amandajo

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Pasta Sauce Recipes

Time 10m

Yield 28

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 pound garlic scapes, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 ¼ cups grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Blend the garlic scapes, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, and pepper together in a food processor until smooth.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 108 calories, Carbohydrate 5.6 g, Cholesterol 3.1 mg, Fat 8.8 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 2.4 g, SaturatedFat 1.7 g, Sodium 57.5 mg, Sugar 0.3 g

CHEF JOHN'S BOSTON CREAM PIE



Chef John's Boston Cream Pie image

This is my quick and easy version of Boston's Parker House Hotel's famous cake.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Desserts     Chocolate Dessert Recipes     Dark Chocolate

Time 5h10m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 16

cooking spray
1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
3 eggs
1 ¼ cups water
⅓ cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
2 tablespoons cornstarch
6 tablespoons white sugar
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup whole milk
½ tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract, or to taste
1 pinch salt
4 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
1 teaspoon butter
½ cup heavy whipping cream

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Spray 2 (8-inch) cake pans with cooking spray.
  • Stir yellow cake mix, 3 eggs, water, and vegetable oil in a bowl until moistened. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.
  • Divide cake batter between the two prepared cake pans.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until cakes have risen and are lightly golden brown, 33 to 38 minutes. Check for doneness after 25 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes should come out clean. Allow cakes to cool for about 10 minutes before removing from the pans. Cool cakes completely, about 40 minutes.
  • Whisk 3 eggs, cornstarch, and sugar in a large bowl until well mixed and lemon colored, 2 to 3 minutes. Set aside.
  • Heat 1 cup heavy whipping cream, whole milk, and 1/2 tablespoon butter in a large saucepan over medium heat until it just begins to boil.
  • Reduce heat to low; pour egg mixture into cream mixture and whisk until thick, about 1 minute.
  • Pour egg and cream mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a large bowl; discard any chunks.
  • Whisk vanilla and salt into the egg and cream mixture until combined. Cover with a layer of plastic wrap pressed against the surface. Chill in refrigerator to form a pastry cream texture, 3 to 4 hours.
  • Place chocolate in a large bowl. Heat 1 teaspoon butter and 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream in a saucepan over medium heat until butter is melted. Pour cream mixture over chocolate and whisk until smooth. Set aside until cooled, but still pourable, about 20 minutes.
  • Place one cake layer on a plate, flat side up. Spread pastry cream to within 1-inch of the edge of cake. Place second cake layer on top, rounded side up. Press gently to push pastry cream to the edge. Pour chocolate mixture over top of the cake and spread so it drips over the edge.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 694.7 calories, Carbohydrate 72.4 g, Cholesterol 198.7 mg, Fat 41 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 10.3 g, SaturatedFat 16.5 g, Sodium 514.2 mg, Sugar 45.5 g

RUDY'S GARLIC SCAPE PESTO



Rudy's Garlic Scape Pesto image

A fresh pesto made from the flowery stems of garlic bulbs (limited season--early June). Serve over your favorite pasta with grated cheese on top or use to make your favorite chilled pasta salad. It is also great with grilled chicken. This pesto freezes well.

Provided by lrob96

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Pasta Sauce Recipes

Time 10m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 7

6 garlic scapes, chopped
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup freshly grated Asiago cheese
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
¼ cup pine nuts
¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Place the garlic scapes, Parmesan cheese, Asiago cheese, lemon juice, and pine nuts in the bowl of a food processor. Drizzle the olive oil over the mixture. Blend until the pesto is a brilliant green color and smooth in texture. Season with salt and pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 138 calories, Carbohydrate 2.3 g, Cholesterol 5.2 mg, Fat 13.3 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 2.7 g, SaturatedFat 2.7 g, Sodium 80.3 mg, Sugar 0.2 g

Tips:

  • When choosing garlic scapes, look for ones that are fresh and green, with no signs of wilting or yellowing.
  • Before using garlic scapes, trim off the tough ends and any flowers that may be present.
  • Garlic scape pesto can be used as a spread for sandwiches or wraps, a dipping sauce for vegetables or crackers, or a marinade for chicken or fish.
  • To store garlic scape pesto, place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or freeze it for up to 3 months.
  • If you don't have any pine nuts on hand, you can substitute another type of nut, such as walnuts or almonds.

Conclusion:

Garlic scape pesto is a delicious and versatile condiment that can be used in a variety of dishes. It's easy to make and can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer for later use. So next time you see garlic scapes at the farmers market or grocery store, be sure to pick some up and give this recipe a try!

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