Pasta is just one method of serving pesto.
As a fresh combination of olive oil, fresh basil, Parmesan cheese and pine nuts pesto sauce not just a pasta topping. Unlike other sauces, pesto does not need to be cooked, and it adds a bright green color and fresh flavor to any dish it's added to. In any pesto application, use a gentle hand, as a little of this highly flavored condiment goes a long way.
Instructions
1. Combine 1/4 cup pesto with the mayonnaise and toss it with a green salad, pasta salad or potato salad.
2. Use pesto as a garnish. Top individual bowls of minestrone soup with 1 tbsp. pesto as a garnish. Dollop baked potatoes with 1 to 2 tbsp. of pesto instead of sour cream.
3. Use pesto as a spread for pizza or bread. Evenly spread 1/3 cup pesto over the pizza dough. Add the goat cheese and olives on top and bake the pizza on a baking sheet at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 to 7 minutes or until the pizza is crispy. Spread a thin coating of pesto over toasted French bread instead of butter.
4. Spread chicken or fish with a thin coating of pesto to add flavor to bland chicken breasts or white fish.
5. Toss 1 lb. hot, cooked pasta with 1 cup pesto to lightly coat all of the pasta strands. Use your favorite cut of pasta or opt for linguine, penne or corkscrew pasta.
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