Dried tomatoes, basil, almonds, parmesan and olive oil This pesto is delicious, the recipe

This sounds like a fantastic twist on classic pesto! The dried tomatoes add a concentrated sweetness and depth of flavor, making it extra special. Here’s a recipe to capture that delicious combination:

Sun-Dried Tomato, Basil, Almond, and Parmesan Pesto Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 100g sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed, drained)
• 50g fresh basil leaves
• 50g almonds (toasted lightly for extra flavor)
• 50g Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2-3 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Optional: a squeeze of lemon juice, or a pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Ingredients:
   • Drain the sun-dried tomatoes from their oil, reserving a little of the oil if desired.
   • Lightly toast the almonds in a dry pan over medium heat until fragrant, then let them cool.
   • Grate the Parmesan cheese.
   • Peel and roughly chop the garlic.
2. Combine Ingredients:
   • Place the sun-dried tomatoes, basil leaves, toasted almonds, Parmesan cheese, and garlic in a food processor or blender.
   • Pulse the ingredients until they are coarsely chopped.
3. Add Olive Oil:
   • With the food processor running on low speed, slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil until the pesto reaches your desired consistency.
   • You may need to scrape down the sides of the ¹ food processor occasion
4. Season to Taste:
   • Season the pesto with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
   • If desired, add a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness or a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
5. Serve:
   • Serve the pesto immediately or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
   • It’s delicious with pasta, grilled vegetables, bread, or as a spread for sandwiches.

Tips and Variations:

• Adjust Texture: For a smoother pesto, process the ingredients for a longer time. For a chunkier pesto, pulse them briefly.
• Reserve Tomato Oil: If your sun-dried tomatoes are packed in oil, you can use some of that oil in place of some of the extra virgin olive oil for added flavor.
• Nut Variations: You can substitute pine nuts for almonds, or even use walnuts.
• Herb Variations: Add a little fresh parsley or oregano for a different flavor profile.
• Cheese Variations: Pecorino Romano cheese can be used instead of parmesan.
• Lemon Zest: Adding lemon zest along with the lemon juice can add a great brightness.

Enjoy your delicious sun-dried tomato pesto!