Pasta Alla Pesto Genovese

[Margi Cintrano]

Good Afternoon,

Pesto takes its name from the Italian Verb Pestare, which means to polverize or pound. It is the classic sauce of the Ligurian province. Traditionally, made in a mortar and pestle, many chefs today, whip it up in a Food Processor. The Pecorino ewe milk cheese should not be too sharp, and a perfect young Pecorino Sardo shall provide the nutty flavors and only a hint of sharpness. The extraordinarie wine for this dish is: Cortese di Gavi.

I had been at the Condo in Italia, until today preparing for the Easter Holiday as the gals and kids are coming over ... So, this is a dish, I had prepared at the Condo.


4 Appetiser Size

1 large garlic clove
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 1/2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino Sardo ( 2 ounces )
5 tblsps toasted pine nuts
salt and black pepper grinded
2 tblps heavy cream
1 pound of Tagliatelli
Additional freshly grated cheese

1) finely chop the garlic in a food processor
2) with machine running, gradually add the oil in a thin steady stream
3) add basil by handfuls and blend until smooth
4) season with salt and black pepper
5) mix cream into the pesto
6) fold in remaining pine nuts
7) prepare the pasta of choice
8) mix a little of the cooking liquid with the pesto
9) add to the tagliatelli and toss

By: Margaux Cintrano.

[justplainbill]

Do you heat the pesto before putting it on or mixing it into the pasta?
Do you chop / puree the pine nuts?

[Margi Cintrano]

Good Afternoon, Ciao,

Firstly, to clarify the instructions and answer your 2 questions:

1) No, it is not necessary to cook the Pesto, because the cooking liquid from boiling the Pasta, Heats and Moistens the Pesto.

2) Blend the pinenuts, 1/2 cup Pecorino Sardo, cream, fresh Basil and olive oil extra virgin until a thick smooth paste. Season with salt and pepper. Fold in 1 tblsp pinenuts for crunch with the pecorino. Toss gently and serve.

Enjoy.
Margaux.

[Rocklobster]

Nice one, Margi!!

[Margi Cintrano]

Originally Posted by Rocklobster

Nice one, Margi!!

Rock Lobster,

Firstly, thanks alot for sharing your view. Yes, me too, I truly like the simplicity of the dish ... Easy to make ... and can be divine with the right company, the right Italian style bread and a wonderful wine, white or red.

Also, it is versatile ... One can use walnuts or almonds, or hazel nuts too ... and any herb of choice preferred ... of course, then, it is not Pesto Genovese ...

Have a nice Sunday.
Margi.

[justplainbill]

Originally Posted by Margi Cintrano

Rock Lobster,

Firstly, thanks alot for sharing your view. Yes, me too, I truly like the simplicity of the dish ... Easy to make ... and can be divine with the right company, the right Italian style bread and a wonderful wine, white or red.

Also, it is versatile ... One can use walnuts or almonds, or hazel nuts too ... and any herb of choice preferred ... of course, then, it is not Pesto Genovese ...

Have a nice Sunday.
Margi.

Should Pesto Genovese really contain basil from any particular part of Liguria?

[Margi Cintrano]

Just Plain Bill:

According to connoisseurs, whom believe that only the Micro Climate in and around Genoa, Ligueria in northwestern Italia produce basil sweet enough to prepare a perfect Pesto, in other areas of Italia and other countries, well --- it would not be exactly the same in taste ...

However, I have been making this dish for years, in Italia, Spain, Greece, The USA, Punta de Este, Uruguay, Mexico, Brazil and Puerto Rico, obviously though it is not exactly the same as in Genoa --- it is still wonderful --- One can grow their own Basil and harvest the leaves before the flower buds form for a sweeter and more delicate basil.

Thanks for posting.
Margaux.

[justplainbill]

Margi, do you cook anguille di vetro or anguille giovani?
I've heard they are going for over $1,750 per kilo in the US!

[Margi Cintrano]

Eel ... in Spain eel is alot cheaper ... it is commonly served in the Basque Country ( Pais Vasco ) in north central Spain on the Cantabrian Coast. I have never cooked it however, I have shared it as an appetiser with " the Vet " at a Michelin Star restaurant in the Basque Country ( San Sebastian ).

There are 2 types ... gulas del norte ( reasonable priced and are very short thick thread like, in shape like a noodle used in soups, Fideos ) and angula is what you are referring to.

ANGULA is eel, a delicacy as in freshly caught. The sea snake like form of this creature could be a turn off depending on one´s cultural ethnicity ... it is still controversial.

This product is served more in Michelin Star restaurants, and it has hype, though I prefer octopus, crevettes ( carabineros ) and lobster.

What is your viewpoint on this edible ?

Margi.

[justplainbill]

Originally Posted by Margi Cintrano

Eel ... in Spain eel is alot cheaper ... it is commonly served in the Basque Country ( Pais Vasco ) in north central Spain on the Cantabrian Coast. I have never cooked it however, I have shared it as an appetiser with " the Vet " at a Michelin Star restaurant in the Basque Country ( San Sebastian ).

There are 2 types ... gulas del norte ( reasonable priced and are very short thick thread like, in shape like a noodle used in soups, Fideos ) and angula is what you are referring to.

ANGULA is eel, a delicacy as in freshly caught. The sea snake like form of this creature could be a turn off depending on one´s cultural ethnicity ... it is still controversial.

This product is served more in Michelin Star restaurants, and it has hype, though I prefer octopus, crevettes ( carabineros ) and lobster.

What is your viewpoint on this edible ?

Margi.

First time I had it, I thought I was eating a bowl of soft spaghetti with fleck of black pepper; turned out the black pepper was the eel's eyes. It was quite tasty. I did not specifically order the dish but it was the lunchtime dish at an establishment (Tomassini's in Pisa) that I frequented often enough to have my own personal napkin.

[justplainbill]

Margi, it would nice if you could share any recipes you might like which use castagne.

[Margi Cintrano]

Eel´s eyes ... well well ... Brave gent you are ! En buena hora ! Congrats !

Speaking of cultural edibles, there are all types, including sheep or bull´s testicles, insects ( chapuleñas = fried crickets in Jalisco, Mexico ) and a variety of organ meats called Callos ( tripe ) in Spain ... the sea world of edibles is less gruesome for most, however, for some, baby octopus could be intimidating ...

[Margi Cintrano]

I adore chestnuts however, they are not in Season here at moment. The chestnut season is autumn, October, November and December and winter months of January and February.

I love chestnut stuffing for Thanksgiving, which is an American tradition that we uphold here and share with our international friends and the gals and grandchildren ( 5 ).

If you wish, I could post some desserts using chestnuts and / or traditional Spanish lunches using ... commonly used in stuffings --- roast chicken or roast pork !

Let me know, what are you looking for exactly ?

Margi.

[justplainbill]

We have a bunch in the freezer that we harvested last October. We also use them for stuffing and for a tasty chocolate cake. Do not know if you've ever tasted the water in which chestnuts have been cooked - it's quite sweet. About the only thing that comes to mind that might have possibilities is a chestnut soup.

[Margi Cintrano]

Firstly, yes to answer your questions. I adore chestnuts, whether roasted on a street corner, in desserts, stuffings and jarred in their own heavenly slightly sweet juice ... The designation or origin in Spain is Ribera de Sacra, Ourense, Galicia, in the mountains overlooking the Sil River ...

In Italia, they are commonly used in dessert making especially in the north and in Sicilia.

In a hamlet of 20 people, called: Nogueira de Ramunín, Ourense, where I stayed at the renovated, reconstructed 10th century Benedictine Monastery Spa Hotel: PARADOR SAN ESTEVO ( www.parador.es ); this is a bilingual website English and Spanish ), this is chestnut country in Galicia, Spain ... I have had CHESTNUT ICECREAM ... to die for !

Do you have an ice cream maker ???

Margaux.

[justplainbill]

Originally Posted by Margi Cintrano

Firstly, yes to answer your questions. I adore chestnuts, whether roasted on a street corner, in desserts, stuffings and jarred in their own heavenly slightly sweet juice ... The designation or origin in Spain is Ribera de Sacra, Ourense, Galicia, in the mountains overlooking the Sil River ...

In Italia, they are commonly used in dessert making especially in the north and in Sicilia.

In a hamlet of 20 people, called: Nogueira de Ramunín, Ourense, where I stayed at the renovated, reconstructed 10th century Benedictine Monastery Spa Hotel: PARADOR SAN ESTEVO ( www.parador.es ); this is a bilingual website English and Spanish ), this is chestnut country in Galicia, Spain ... I have had CHESTNUT ICECREAM ... to die for !

Do you have an ice cream maker ???

Margaux.

I made > 2 litre (10.5 cups) of ice cream yesterday. Thanks for the website.

[Margi Cintrano]

Chestnut icecream ... Now that is what I would certainly prepare ... Of course, I would save some for a stuffing for roast chicken and a dessert too ... I have some recipes I have not translated yet, so let me see, if I can come up with something worthwhile. If I do, I shall post it ...

Have a nice Sunday.
Margi.

[justplainbill]

Originally Posted by Margi Cintrano

Chestnut icecream ... Now that is what I would certainly prepare ... Of course, I would save some for a stuffing for roast chicken and a dessert too ... I have some recipes I have not translated yet, so let me see, if I can come up with something worthwhile. If I do, I shall post it ...

Have a nice Sunday.
Margi.

Per favore e grazie.
I've eaten quite a bit of tasty ice cream, but have consumed too much Cynar in Ladinia.