Arugula pesto is a quick and easy way to add a flavorful green to any dish. It is an Italian classic that can be used to dress up sandwiches, hummus and chicken salads. It is also a versatile sauce that can be added to pastas, pizzas and flatbreads.
How to Make Arugula Pesto
To make this pesto, you’ll need a food processor or blender, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, parmesan cheese and pine nuts. Pulse the ingredients in the food processor until you have a smooth, fine-textured paste. If you find the pesto too thin, just add more olive oil.
1. Prep the Arugula
To prepare the arugula, you’ll need to blanch it in boiling water for about 15 seconds. This step helps to maintain the green color and preserves the freshness of the herbs.
2. Mix the ingredients together
After you’ve blanched the arugula, you’ll want to mix it all together in your food processor. This will help to emulsify the basil and arugula in the pesto.
3. Toss with Al dente Pasta or Vegetable Noodles
After blending the ingredients together, you’ll want to toss the arugula pesto into your al dente pasta. This will ensure that the arugula pesto is evenly coated with the pasta and that it will taste delicious.
4. Toss with Chicken or Pork
This recipe is perfect for adding some zing to your next grilled or broiled meat. The peppery arugula pesto tastes incredible when tossed with a sliced piece of chicken or a sliced pork tenderloin. It’s also fantastic over a bowl of tortellini pasta.
5. Store the Arugula Pesto
If you’re not going to use all of the arugula pesto in one sitting, it can be stored in a covered glass jar in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze it in ice cube trays, thawing and using only what you need.
6. Save Money
This arugula pesto recipe is perfect for making large batches of pesto that you can store in the fridge and reuse throughout the week. It’s a great way to save money on buying pesto from the grocery store, and it’s also a way to incorporate more healthy greens into your diet.
7. Make a Salad with Arugula Pesto
This salad is perfect for eating when you’re craving something warm and flavorful. The pesto adds a kick of freshness that complements the other ingredients in the salad.
8. Serve Arugula Pesto with Grilled or Roasted Meat
Whenever you’re making a meal that requires some sort of condiment, it’s important to use quality ingredients. This recipe uses fresh, high-quality arugula and parmesan to make the pesto taste delicious.
9. Serve on Grain Bowls, Pizza and Toast
Whether you’re looking for a quick meal or an indulgent dinner, this recipe will make the perfect dish! This arugula pesto is flavored with garlic, parmesan, pine nuts and lemon zest. It’s the perfect addition to a grain bowl, topped on pizza, tossed with pasta or toasted on top of a slice of bread.