ASPARAGUS PESTO

Asparagus Pesto image

Making asparagus pesto lets you use the peel, which contains a ton of flavor even though it's sometimes too tough and stringy to eat. Puréeing lets you sidestep this issue: you keep the peel, and the flavor, but your food processor pulverizes the fibers, even if you use thick spears.

Provided by Mark Bittman

Categories easy, quick, weekday, condiments, dips and spreads

Time 20m

Yield 4 to 6 servings (about 1 1/2 cups)

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

Salt
1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch segments
1 clove garlic, or more to taste
1/4 cup pine nuts
1/4 cup olive oil, or more as desired
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Freshly ground black pepper
Juice of 1/2 lemon, or to taste

Steps:

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it. Add the asparagus and cook until fully tender but not mushy, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain well, reserving some of the cooking liquid, and let the asparagus cool slightly.
Transfer the asparagus to a food processor and add the garlic, pine nuts, 2 tablespoons of the oil, Parmesan, a pinch of salt and a couple of tablespoons of the cooking liquid. Process the mixture, stopping to scrape down the sides of the container if necessary, and gradually add the remaining oil and a bit more of the reserved cooking liquid to moisten if necessary. Add the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste, pulse one last time, and serve over pasta, fish or chicken (or cover and refrigerate for up to a day).

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 191, UnsaturatedFat 12 grams, Carbohydrate 5 grams, Fat 17 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 8 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 256 milligrams, Sugar 2 grams