Best Basil Pesto Couscous Recipes

BASIL PESTO COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil.
• Add couscous, butter and salt.
• Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes.
• Topping: In a blender, blend all topping ingredients except the parmesan.
• (Alternately, use a ready made basil pesto).
• Cook blended mixture (pesto) in a pan until warm/hot.
• Mix the warm topping mix with couscous.
• Toss with parmesan cheese.
• Serve immediately.

BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• Combine the basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add 1/2 cup of the oil and process until fully incorporated and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
• If using immediately, add all the remaining oil and pulse until smooth. Transfer the pesto to a large serving bowl and mix in the cheese.
• If freezing, transfer to an air-tight container and drizzle remaining oil over the top. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw and stir in cheese.

SHRIMP SCAMPI WITH PESTO COUSCOUS

Steps:

• In the bowl of a food processor pulse together the basil leaves, 1 tablespoon of the garlic, the walnuts, and the Parmesan. With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in 1/3 cup of oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, bring 2 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil. Remove from the heat, stir in the couscous, cover, and let it stand for 5 minutes, or while you cook the shrimp. (Reserve 1 cup of the couscous for Round 2 Recipe Couscous Stuffed Tomatoes.) When you are ready to serve, stir half the basil pesto into the couscous. (Reserve the remaining basil pesto for Round 2 Recipe Shrimp Bruschetta.)
• Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of canola oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 30 seconds. Add the broth and lemon juice and cook until it bubbles. Add the shrimp, season with salt and pepper, to taste, give it a good stir. Cook until the shrimp turn pink and are cooked through, about 4 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the parsley. (Reserve 10 shrimp for Round 2 Recipe Shrimp Bruschetta.) Transfer the couscous to a serving platter. Spoon the shrimp and sauce over the couscous and serve immediately.

BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• Set a large pot of water to boil over high heat.
• Use a mortar and pestle to pound and grind the pine nuts to a fine paste (no distinct pieces should be visible). Add the garlic, and pound until smooth and integrated.
• If the basil leaves are very large, run a knife through them once or twice to cut them down in size. Add basil to pine nuts along with a pinch of salt, which will help break down the leaves. Continue pounding and grinding until the basil breaks down completely (if your mortar is small, pound the basil in batches), about 7 minutes. Once the nuts and basil combine into a thick green paste, stir in Parmesan, pecorino and oil. Taste, and adjust salt as needed.
• Generously season water with salt. Cook pasta until al dente, then drain, reserving a cup of cooking water. (Tip: Heat your serving bowl by using it as a lid for pasta pot)
• Place cooked pasta in the serving bowl, and stir in pesto. Add splashes of cooking water and olive oil as needed to loosen the sauce and ensure the pasta is evenly coated. Garnish with Parmesan, and serve immediately.

BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• Combine basil, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, and olive oil in a food processor. Pulse to combine. Add garlic, pine nuts, salt, and pepper. Pulse until mixture becomes smooth and blended.
• Pour mixture onto a large sheet of plastic wrap; roll into a tube shape and seal. Store in the refrigerator until needed.

BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• In a blender or food processor, combine garlic, salt and pine nuts; cover and process until finely chopped. Add basil and olive oil; puree until smooth. Add cheese and process just until combined. Serve with pasta or grilled meats of vegetables.