Tired of the classic basil pesto? Try this rocket and almond pesto.
Basil pesto is a very staple recipe all around the world lately, but if you want to try something new, you may try this rocket pesto with almonds. Very easy to prepare, you can make it in large batches and freeze it. It is perfect with pasta, but you can also use it as sauce for steaks or grilled fish.
Rocket and almonds: health facts
Rocket or Arugula, is a bitter leafy greens usually eaten raw in salads. It is rich in vitamins (C, K, A) , folates, magnesium and potassium. Since for this recipe you’re not going to cook the arugula, all the vitamins are retained. Paired with the dried tomatoes and almonds, this pesto is a powerhouse for our health. Almonds are rich in magnesium and PUFAs (polyunsaturated fats) that are good for our cardiovascular system. Dried tomatoes are super rich in lycopene, a very powerful antioxidant that protects also our DNA.
A portion of this pesto will give you a lot of benefits, when paired with pasta it makes for a complete meal.
Ingredients for making rocket pesto
Rocket: when it comes to leafy greens, as always, the freshest the better. Try to buy the best quality rocket, a little goes a long way and you can make a lot of pesto with just a small bunch of it
Sun-dried tomato sauce: this is what give this pesto a very nice kick. Since the sauce is rich in umami, it gives the pesto a very distinct flavor, and mellows a bit the sourness of the rocket.
Pecorino cheese: this is a very important ingredient, and I know that it’s not easy to find a good quality pecorino abroad. However you can always try on line, many shops now import good quality cheese from Italy. If you cannot find pecorino, try to look for a sheep cheese or goat cheese. Or use parmigiano.
Almonds: I usually use whole almonds that I toast in the oven. Toasted almonds have a very nutty flavor, and the outer skin add more fiber to the recipe. You can easily roast the almonds for a few minutes on the stove on a pan.
Olive oil: last but not least olive oil is the most essential ingredient when making pesto. Try to use the best you can find. I know it is very expensive (prices have skyrocketed in Italy too lately) but you will need a small quantity and will make enough pesto for 8 servings.
How to use it: recipes and ideas
This rocket pesto with almonds is perfect on a simple pasta, but you can also use it to cook fettuccine or other home made fresh pasta.
I like to use it as an appetizer on crostini or bruschette, but it is the perfect accompaniment for a steak or a grilled white fish. Try also this pesto as a spread on a toast with some mozzarella.
You could prepare a pasta salad using fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes and a couple of tablespoons of rocket pesto.
