Immerse yourself in the tantalizing world of pesto with this culinary journey through Marcella Hazan's iconic recipe. Discover the secrets to crafting the perfect pesto sauce, a vibrant symphony of flavors that will elevate your culinary creations. Learn how to select the freshest basil, pine nuts, garlic, and Parmesan cheese to ensure an aromatic and flavorful experience. Unveil the art of balancing olive oil and lemon juice to achieve a velvety texture and bright acidity.
Explore variations of this classic sauce, each with its own unique twist. Embark on a flavor adventure with the Spicy Pesto, where fiery chili peppers add a kick of heat. Delight in the vibrant Green Goddess Pesto, a vibrant blend of herbs and nuts that will bring a burst of freshness to your dishes. Create a sophisticated Pesto Rosso, where sun-dried tomatoes infuse a rich red hue and a tangy sweetness.
Venture into the realm of culinary creativity with the Pesto Pancetta Pasta, a harmonious marriage of salty pancetta, sautéed mushrooms, and the vibrant green pesto. Indulge in the delectable Pesto Pizza, where a crispy crust is adorned with a generous layer of pesto, melted mozzarella, and fresh cherry tomatoes. Discover the versatility of pesto in the Pesto Chicken Skewers, where tender chicken is marinated in a flavorful pesto sauce and grilled to perfection.
PESTO - MARCELLA HAZAN
From the Julia Child of Italian Cooking, this is Marcella Hazan's recipe for pesto. Its the first I've ever tasted and the only one I'll ever use. I've tried other recipes and nothing surpasses this, especially not any you'll get from a restaurant. Quality ingredients are important in simple recipes like this. The aromas in pesto's ingredients are subtle and its flavor varies depending on the brand and quality of the ingredients you choose. Make sure to find the best olive oil, the freshest basil (if it doesn't smell right or fragrant, don't bother using it, it will be a waste of expensive ingredients.) The cheeses mentioned should be sought and used. Use a high quality butter if possible.
Provided by pizzamoon5-toss
Categories Sauces
Time 17m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Briefly soak and wash the basil in cold water, and gently pat it thoroughly DRY with paper towels.
- Put the basil, olive oil, pine nuts, chopped garlic, and an ample pinch of salt in the processor bowl, and process to a uniform, creamy consistency.
- Transfer to a bowl, and mix in the two grated cheeses by hand. It is worth the slight effort to do it by hand to obtain the notably superior texture it produces.
- When the cheese has been evenly amalgamated with the other ingredients, mix in the softened butter, distributing it uniformly into the sauce.
- When spooning the pesto over pasta, dilute it slightly with a tablespoon or two of the hot water in which the pasta was cooked.
- Freezing pesto: Make the sauce through to the end of Step 2, cover with a layer of olive oil and freeze it without cheese and butter in it. Add the cheese and butter when it is thawed, just before serving.
MARCELLA HAZAN'S TOMATO SAUCE
This is perhaps the most famous recipe created by Marcella Hazan, the cookbook author who changed how Americans cook Italian food. It also may be her easiest. Use your favorite canned tomatoes for this and don't be scared off by the butter. It gives the sauce an unparalleled velvety richness.
Provided by The New York Times
Categories easy
Time 1h
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Combine the tomatoes, their juices, the butter and the onion halves in a saucepan. Add a pinch or two of salt.
- Place over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Cook, uncovered, for about 45 minutes. Stir occasionally, mashing any large pieces of tomato with a spoon. Add salt as needed.
- Discard the onion before tossing the sauce with pasta. This recipe makes enough sauce for a pound of pasta.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 153, UnsaturatedFat 4 grams, Carbohydrate 6 grams, Fat 15 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 1 gram, SaturatedFat 9 grams, Sodium 287 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 1 gram
MARCELLA HAZAN'S PASTA WITH FOUR HERBS
This easy weeknight recipe from Marcella Hazan is pasta the way it is meant to be, and it can be prepared with items already in your pantry or easily procured at your farmers' market, corner deli or backyard garden. Fresh mint, sage, rosemary and parsley are tossed with chopped, ripe tomatoes and tossed with sizzling hot olive oil. The best part is it can be thrown together in about 20 minutes.
Provided by Nancy Harmon Jenkins
Categories dinner, easy, quick, main course
Time 20m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Bring 4 quarts of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt and when water has returned to a boil, add the penne, stirring with a long- handled wooden fork or spoon to distribute the pasta evenly.
- While the pasta is cooking, proceed with the rest of the recipe. Chop the fresh herbs together briefly and place in a deep bowl in which you will serve the pasta.
- Seed the tomatoes and cut them into small cubes. Add to the herbs in the bowl and mix together gently but thoroughly. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper if necessary or desired.
- This step must proceed very quickly, so be sure your timing is right. Heat the olive oil over a medium high flame until it is very hot. When it begins to smoke, pour all at once over the vegetables in the bowl. Drain the cooked pasta and add it immediately to the oil and sizzling vegetables. Mix well. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 399, UnsaturatedFat 11 grams, Carbohydrate 59 grams, Fat 13 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 10 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 345 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams
DELISH PESTO PASTA WITH CHICKEN MARSALA
My easy, go-to chicken and pasta recipe is ready and on the table in about a half an hour. It's a fabulous option for those busy weeknights. - Lorraine Stevenski, Land O' Lakes, Florida
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 30m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Cook pasta according to package directions. In a Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Add half of the chicken; cook and stir until no longer pink; remove from the pan. Repeat with remaining oil and chicken; remove from the pan., Add garlic and lemon zest to the same pan; cook and stir for 30 seconds. Add wine and lemon juice, stirring to loosen browned bits from the pan. Bring to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced by half. Stir in the cheese, milk and sauce mix. Add chicken; cook until sauce is slightly thickened., Drain pasta; add to chicken mixture and toss to combine. , Sprinkle with herbs.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 539 calories, Fat 14g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 98mg cholesterol, Sodium 622mg sodium, Carbohydrate 49g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 43g protein.
Tips for Making Marcella Hazan's Pesto:
- Use a mortar and pestle, as the blades of a food processor or blender can easily over-process the pesto, resulting in a bitter taste.
- Start with high-quality ingredients, especially the basil. Fresh, aromatic basil is essential for a flavorful pesto.
- Pine nuts can be toasted in a pan over medium heat until fragrant, adding a nutty flavor to the pesto.
- Garlic should be peeled and minced, not pressed, to avoid a harsh flavor.
- Use a light hand with the salt, as the Parmesan cheese is also salty.
- Add the olive oil slowly, drizzling it in a thin stream while mixing, to emulsify the pesto and achieve a smooth, creamy texture.
- Taste the pesto throughout the process, adjusting the seasonings as needed.
Conclusion:
Marcella Hazan's pesto recipe is a classic for a reason: it's simple, flavorful, and versatile. With just a few fresh ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a delicious pesto that can be used as a condiment, sauce, or marinade. Whether you're using it to dress pasta, spread it on sandwiches, or add it to grilled vegetables, Marcella Hazan's pesto is sure to impress. So, gather your ingredients and give this classic recipe a try – you won't be disappointed!
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