Best Pea Pesto Recipes

PEA PESTO CROSTINI

Steps:

• For the pea pesto: Pulse together the peas, garlic, Parmesan, 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper in a food processor. With the machine running, slowly add the olive oil until well combined, about 1 to 2 minutes. Season with additional salt and pepper, if needed. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
• For the crostini: Preheat a stovetop griddle or grill pan on medium-high heat. Brush both sides of the sliced bread with olive oil and grill until golden, about 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the bread to a clean surface and spread 1 to 2 tablespoons of the prepared pesto on each slice.
• Top with tomato halves and serve.
• *Cook's note: If you don't have day-old bread on hand, you can dry out fresh bread by putting the slices in a preheated 300 degree F oven until slightly crisp, about 5 minutes.

GREEN PEA PESTO

Steps:

• Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil; add the peas and cook until softened. Drain.
• Blend the peas, Parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon juice, basil, and pepper in a blender; while the it blends, stream the olive oil into the mixture.

PESTO PEA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the peas in a pot of boiling salted water for 1 minute. Immediately immerse the peas in a bowl of ice cold water, and drain when fully cooled.
• To assemble, place the spinach leaves in a salad bowl. Sprinkle the peas and pignolis over the spinach. Add the pesto and toss.
• Note: To toast pignolis, place them in a dry saute pan and cook over medium heat for about 4 minutes, until evenly browned, tossing frequently.
• Pesto:
• 1/4 cup walnuts
• 1/4 cup pignolis
• 3 tablespoons diced garlic (9 cloves)
• 5 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1 1/2 cups good olive oil
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• Place the walnuts, pignolis, and garlic in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Process for 30 seconds. Add the basil leaves, salt, and pepper. With the processor running, slowly pour the olive oil into the bowl through the feed tube and process until the pesto is finely pureed. Add the Parmesan and puree for a minute. Serve, or store the pesto in the refrigerator or freezer with a thin film of olive oil on top.
• Copyright, 2001, Barefoot Contessa Parties!, All Rights Reserved
• Yield: 4 cups

SPAGHETTI WITH PEA & MINT PESTO

Steps:

• Cook the peas in boiling water for 2-3 minutes until just tender, then drain and refresh in cold water. Pat dry.
• Tip the peas into a food processor and add the garlic, pine nuts, parmesan, mint and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, then pulse very briefly until the ingredients are roughly chopped. Don't overdo it - they should still have lots of texture. (You can freeze the pesto at this point.)
• Cook the spaghetti according to packet instructions until al dente - that's with a bit of bite still. Drain, reserving some of the cooking water.
• To serve, toss the spaghetti with the pesto and about 2 tbsp of the water. Pile into warmed bowls and serve at once, with parmesan and olive oil at the table.

SWEET PEA PESTO CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat broiler. Place peas, garlic, vinegar, salt and lemon pepper in a blender or food processor; pulse until well blended. Continue processing while gradually adding oil in a steady stream. Add cheese; pulse just until blended. Add broth; pulse until mixture reaches desired consistency., Cut baguette into 20 slices, each 1/2 in. thick. Place on ungreased baking sheet. Broil 4-5 in. from heat until golden brown, 45-60 seconds per side. Remove to wire rack to cool., To assemble crostini, spread each slice with about 1 tablespoon pesto mixture; top with tomato pieces.

PEA AND PARSLEY PESTO WITH LINGUINE

Steps:

• Cook 1 cup peas according to package instructions. In a food processor, combine cooked peas, parsley, walnuts, Parmesan, garlic, and 1 tablespoon water. Pulse until a paste forms. With machine running, slowly add oil, processing until blended; season with salt and pepper.
• In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions, adding 1 cup peas 30 seconds before end of cooking. Reserve 1 cup pasta water; drain pasta and peas. Return pasta and peas to pot; toss with 3/4 cup pesto (reserve remainder for another use), adding enough pasta water to create a sauce that coats pasta. Serve pasta with more Parmesan.

PASTA WITH ALMOND-PEA PESTO

Steps:

• In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until al dente, according to package instructions, adding 1 package of peas during last minute of cooking time. Reserve 1 cup pasta water; drain pasta and peas, and return to pot.
• Meanwhile, in a food processor, finely grind almonds. Add lemon zest and juice, remaining package of peas, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt; process until well combined. With motor running, gradually add oil; process until smooth.
• Add almond-pea pesto to pasta; toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water (as needed) to adjust consistency of sauce. Season with salt and pepper; serve.

SWEET PEA PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions.
• Meanwhile, place peas, spinach, basil, Parmesan, olive oil, walnuts, garlic and salt and pepper in a blender or food processor.
• Two minutes before pasta is done, ladle out 1/2 cup hot pasta cooking water and add to blender. Pulse until smooth, scraping sides and adding additional pasta water by the tablespoon, if needed.
• When pasta is done, drain lightly and return to pot. Add sauce and toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately with additional Parmesan cheese and tomatoes, if desired.

PAN ROASTED PORK CHOPS WITH PEA SHOOT PESTO

Steps:

• In a small skillet over medium-low heat, toast pine nuts, tossing occasionally, until golden, about 3 minutes.
• To prepare pesto, in a food processor or blender combine pea shoots, 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts, cilantro, Parmesan, garlic and salt. Pulse until roughly chopped. With motor running, slowly drizzle in olive oil; blend until well combined. Scrape pesto into a bowl.
• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cut each pork chop horizontally in half to bone, making a pocket for stuffing. Rub pork chops all over with cut side of garlic clove, grinding garlic juices into bone and meat. Season chops all over with salt and pepper, and fill each pocket with 1 tablespoon pesto.
• In a very large ovenproof skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sear pork chops until well browned, about 3 minutes a side. Transfer skillet to oven. Cook pork chops until they register 140 degrees on an instant-read thermometer, 12 to 15 minutes (or cook pork to taste). Let stand in skillet for 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, prepare salad: In a large bowl, toss together pea shoots, arugula, remaining 1/4 cup pine nuts, cilantro and shallot. Toss with enough olive oil to lightly coat greens; drizzle with lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.
• Divide salad among 4 serving plates. Place a pork chop on each bed of greens. Top chops with additional pesto. Spoon pan juices over each plate.

PENNE WITH PEA PESTO

Steps:

• Cook peas on the stove or in a microwave according to package directions, then drain well.
• With food processor running, drop in garlic and finely chop. Turn off motor and add peas, nuts, cheese, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, then process until finely chopped. With motor running, add oil, blending until incorporated.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pasta pot of boiling salted water (3 tablespoons salt for 6 quarts water) until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta-cooking water, then drain pasta in a colander.
• Toss pasta with pea pesto and thin as desired with reserved cooking water. Season with freshly ground pepper.

PESTO PEA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the peas in a pot of boiling, salted water for 1 minute.
• Immediately immerse the peas in a bowl of ice cold water, and drain when fully cooled.
• To assemble, place the spinach leaves in a salad bowl.
• Sprinkle the peas and pignolis over the spinach.
• Add the pesto and toss.
• Note: To toast pignolis, place them in a dry saute pan and cook over medium heat for about 4 minutes, until evenly browned-- tossing frequently.
• Enjoy!

MINI CHICKEN KIEVS FILLED WITH PEA, BASIL AND CRÈME FRAÎCHE PESTO

Steps:

• Start by placing all the pesto ingredients into a food processor and blitzing until smooth, the mixture should be the consistency of custard - so runny but nice and thick. Take around 4 to 5 tablespoons of the mixture and put them into a bowl, and decant the rest of the mixture into a re-sealable jar and place into the fridge. Place the chicken, salt, pepper, onion and celery salt into a food processor and blitz until nice and smooth. Using wet hands (it makes it much easier and cleaner to make the kievs, and keep the tap running so you can rinse in between making each of them) spoon a large tablespoon of the chicken mixture onto the palm of your hand and gently flatten it a little as in the picture. Now, take a level teaspoon of the pesto mixture you put into a separate bowl and drop it into the middle of the chicken mix. Curling your hand up gently as in the pic, bring the mixture up and around the pesto, encasing it inside while making sure you expel as much air from inside as possible, then smooth the tops together to seal. Repeat with all the chicken mixture. Line up the flour, egg and panko in that order and coat each kiev in turn - flour first, then egg, then panko - setting the coated kievs onto a plate. Preheat your oil to 330 °F. Fry the kievs for 12 to 15 minutes (depending on their size) until they are nicely golden brown, turn them over during the cooking if you're frying them in a saucepan and the oil doesn't totally cover them. Remove and place them on kitchen paper to drain. Serve them with a squeeze of lemon, a little salt and some extra pesto filling to dip them in.

COURGETTE, PEA & PESTO SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Cook the garlic for a few seconds, then add the courgettes and cook for 3 mins until they start to soften. Stir in the peas and cannellini beans, pour on the hot stock and cook for a further 3 mins.
• Stir the pesto through the soup with some seasoning, then ladle into bowls and serve with crusty brown bread, if you like. Or pop in a flask to take to work.

PENNE WITH PEA PESTO, SUGAR SNAP PEAS, AND PECORINO

Steps:

• For the pea pesto: Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil over high heat. Add the peas and blanch for 30 seconds, or a little longer if the peas are large. Drain and cool quickly in ice water, then drain again. Place the peas in a food processor with the garlic, mint, pecorino, and a pinch of salt. Pulse until well chopped. With the motor running, add the olive oil through the feed tube. Puree until the pesto is nearly but not completely smooth. A slightly coarse texture is pleasing.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until al dente.
• While the pasta cooks, warm the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the English peas and a pinch of salt. Sauté for about 2 minutes, then add 1/2 cup of the boiling pasta water. Simmer until the peas are almost tender, about 5 minutes, adding more hot pasta water if necessary. Add the sugar snap peas and sauté until they lose their raw taste, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Set aside about 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta. Return it to the hot pot and add the braised peas, pea pesto, and several grinds of black pepper. Toss well, moistening with some of the reserved pasta water. Divide among 6 warm bowls. Top each portion with a little grated pecorino. Serve immediately.
• Enjoy with Cakebread Cellars Napa Valley Chardonnay or another medium- to full-bodied white wine.

PEA AND MINT PESTO CROSTINI

Steps:

• For the pea pesto: Pulse together the peas, Parmesan, garlic, and mint with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper in a food processor. With the machine running, slowly add the olive oil until everything is well combined and you have a smooth puree, about 1 minute. Season with additional salt and pepper, if needed. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
• For the crostini: Brush one side of the sliced bread with olive oil and toast it until golden brown and crispy. You can grill the bread if you prefer.
• Transfer the bread to a serving platter. If necessary, cut the bread slices so that you have slices about 2 inches long. Spread one heaping tablespoon of the pea pesto on each slice. Top each slice with a tomato half or a bit of diced tomato and serve.
• For maximum crispiness, use day old bread or fresh bread that's been dried out in a 300F oven for about 5 minutes.

PEA PESTO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and add to a large bowl. Let cool.
• While the pasta is cooking, toast the pine nuts. Place them in a large saute pan over medium-low heat and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant and golden, 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Zest the lemon. Reserve zest for garnish. Set the lemon and zest aside. (You'll top the finished pasta with the zest and use the juice for the pesto).
• Make the pesto. To the pitcher of a blender, add 1/3 cup of the toasted pine nuts, 1-1/2 cups peas, parsley, mint, garlic, 2 tablespoons lemon juice from the lemon you just zested, salt, and 1/3 cup olive oil. Puree until relatively smooth, adding more olive oil if necessary until the pesto is a saucy consistency. Taste and add additional salt and lemon juice if desired.
• Pour the pesto over the pasta that's already in the bowl. Add the remaining peas. Toss gently until the pasta is coated and the peas are distributed. Garnish with remaining pine nuts, lemon zest, and a few sprigs of parsley and mint if desired. Serve.
• Can be kept refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 48 hours.

PEA & PESTO SOUP WITH FISH FINGER CROûTONS

Steps:

• Tip the peas and potatoes into a large saucepan, then pour in the stock. Bring to the boil and simmer for 10 mins, until the potato chunks are tender. Meanwhile, grill the fish fingers as per pack instructions until cooked through and golden. Cut into bitesize cubes and keep warm.
• Take a third of the peas and potatoes out of the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside. Blend the rest of the soup until smooth, then stir in the pesto with the reserved vegetables. Heat through and serve in warm bowls with the fish finger croûtons on top.

PEA, PESTO & SAUSAGE LASAGNE

Steps:

• Heat half the oil in a large pan. Add the sausageballs and sizzle for 5-10 mins, rolling around until browned on all sides. Meanwhile, bring a pan of water to the boil, add the broccoli and cook for 3-4 mins until really tender. Drain well.
• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the tomatoes on a baking tray, drizzle over the remaining oil, season well and roast for 10 mins until just softened. Stir the broccoli, peas, half the mascarpone, the pesto and basil into the sausageballs, simmer for a few mins until you have a nice sauce consistency, then check the seasoning.
• Scoop a third of the mixture into a casserole dish (mine was 25 x 35cm),top with a third of the tomatoes, then arrange three lasagne sheets on top. Continue layering in the same way, reserving a few tomatoes, finishing with the pasta sheets.
• Mix the milk into the remaining mascarpone to make a white sauce consistency. Pour this over the top of the pasta, then top with the mozzarella, Parmesan, pine nuts and the reserved tomatoes. Bake for 35-40 mins until golden brown and bubbling. If the lasagne is getting too dark, cover it with foil and continue cooking. Serve with a green salad.

PEA PESTO CROSTINI

Steps:

• For the pea pesto: Pulse together in a food processor the peas, garlic, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. With the machine running, slowly add 1/3 cup of the olive oil and continue to mix until well combined, 1 to 2 minutes. Season with more salt and pepper, if needed. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
• For the crostini: Preheat a stovetop griddle or grill pan over medium-high.
• Brush both sides of each of the bread slices with the remaining 1/3 cup olive oil and grill until golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the bread to a platter and spread 1 to 2 tablespoons pesto on each slice. Top each crostini with 2 tomato halves and serve.
• cook's note
• Day-old bread works best here because it stands up to the pea purée and isn't too soft in the center. If you don't have any on hand, you can dry out fresh bread by putting the slices in a 300°F oven until slightly crisp, about 5 minutes.

SALT SEARED TUNA WITH FENNEL, COURGETTES AND ENGLISH PEA PESTO

Steps:

• Whisk together the beer and flour, season with salt. Hold refrigerated.
• Take 8 baby zucchini and blanch in salted water until tender. Puree in blender until smooth.
• Place the fennel and remaining zucchini and squash in a small pan and cover with vegetable stock. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and braise over low heat until tender. Season with salt.
• Place all ingredients for pea pesto except the olive oil into a blender and process until smooth. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil.;
• Place the salt block directly on the stove top and heat until hot about 5 minutes. Toss the tuna in olive oil and season with salt, fennel pollen and pepper. Place in a cryovac bag and cook, sous vide-style, at 130 degrees F for 10 minutes. Remove from the bag quickly sear the tuna on the salt block on all 4 sides.
• Dip the blossoms in the beer batter and fry at 350 degrees F until golden brown. Smear the pesto across the plate and arrange the vegetables in the pesto. Slice the tuna thinly and place around the vegetables. Serve alongside fennel, courgettes, pesto and garnishes.