Best Red Pepper Pesto Recipes

SLOW ROASTED SALMON FILLETS WITH POTATOES, LEMON VINAIGRETTE AND RED PEPPER PESTO

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Toss the potatoes with a few tablespoons of oil and season with salt and pepper. Arrange the potato slices in one layer in the bottom of the baking dish. Brush the potatoes with olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes, until lightly golden brown and slightly soft. Remove potatoes and reduce the heat of the oven to 250 degrees. 2. Season the salmon with salt and pepper and place the fillets on top of the potatoes, skin-side up. Roast in the oven to medium doneness, about 12-14 minutes. 3. While the salmon is roasting, whisk together the lemon juice, vinegar, mustard, thyme and pesto in a medium bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until emulsified and season with salt and pepper to taste. 4. Remove the salmon from the oven and immediately drizzle each fillet with some of the vinaigrette and top each fillet with a small dollop of pesto.

RED PEPPER-BASIL PESTO PIZZA

Steps:

• For the pesto: Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F.
• Put the peppers on a baking sheet, rub them with the canola oil and season with salt and black pepper, to taste. Roast until they are slightly charred and soft, turning several times, about 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer the peppers to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let them steam for 10 minutes. Remove the skins and seeds.
• Put the peppers, garlic, basil and pine nuts into the bowl of a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. With the motor running, slowly pour the olive oil through the feed tube and pulse to emulsify. Add the cheese and salt and pepper, to taste and pulse a few more times just to combine. Scrape the mixture into a bowl.
• For the pizza: Light a grill to high heat.
• Roll the pizza dough into 2 (12-inch) circles, brush the top with some canola oil, and season them with salt and black pepper, to taste. Put them on the grill, oiled side down, and grill until the bottoms are slightly charred and golden brown. Brush the tops with additional oil before flipping the pizzas over. Continue grilling until the crusts are just firm, about 40 seconds.
• Transfer the shells to a baking sheet, top each with some of the pesto, mozzarella and shaved Parmigiano and return them to the grill. Close the cover and grill until the cheese melts. Remove the pizzas from the grill and finish the pizza with some sliced red onion and handful of arugula. Slice and serve.
• Combine the bread flour, sugar, yeast and kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and combine. While the mixer is running, add the water and 2 tablespoons of the oil and beat until the dough forms into a ball. If the dough is sticky, add additional flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together in a solid ball. If the dough is too dry, add additional water, 1 tablespoon at a time. Scrape the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead into a smooth, firm ball.
• Grease a large bowl with the remaining 2 teaspoons olive oil, add the dough, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and put it in a warm area to let it double in size, about 1 hour. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into 2 equal pieces. Cover each with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let them rest for 10 minutes.

ROASTED RED PEPPER & PARSLEY PESTO WITH PENNE

Steps:

• Cook the pasta following pack instructions. Meanwhile, put the peppers, parsley, nuts, garlic and olive oil in a small food processor or mini chopper, and whizz to a pesto consistency. Season and mix in the Parmesan.
• Drain the pasta and return to the pan with the pesto. Stir and gently heat for 1 min, then sprinkle with a little more chopped parsley and serve.

WALNUT & RED PEPPER PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Cook the pasta following pack instructions. Meanwhile, toast the walnuts in a dry pan for a few mins. Add half the walnuts to the small bowl of a food processor or a hand chopper, along with the red peppers, Parmesan, garlic, basil, oil and some seasoning. Whizz to a paste, adding a splash of water from the pasta if it is a little dry.
• Drain the pasta, reserving a cup of the cooking water. Return the pasta to the pan and set over a low heat. Add the pesto, mascarpone and 3-4 tbsp of the reserved pasta water, then stir until the mascarpone has melted, adding a splash more pasta water if the sauce needs thinning. To serve, crush the remaining walnuts in your hand and scatter over the pasta with a few more basil leaves and some extra Parmesan.

RED PEPPER PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot with lightly-salted water to a boil. Stir the penne into the water and return to a boil. Cook until the pasta is mostly tender but still firm to the bite, about 11 minutes; drain. Transfer the drained pasta to a large bowl.
• Place the basil, red pepper, and Parmesan cheese in the bowl of a food processor; stream the olive oil into the mixture as it blends until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle the sauce over the cooked pasta and toss to coat.

RED PEPPER-PESTO DIP

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees.
• Mix all ingredients except crackers.
• Spread into 9" pie plate.
• Bake 15 minutes.
• Cool 5 mins, serve warm with crackers.

MUSHROOM CAKES W/AVOCADO PESTO AND RED PEPPER COULIS

Steps:

• RED PEPPER COULIS:.
• Char peppers over gas flame or broiler until blackened all over.
• Seal in plastic or paper bag; let stand 15 minutes.
• Peel and seed peppers; place in blender.
• Place garlic cloves in small dry skillet.
• Cover, cook over medium heat until browned and tender, shaking skillet occasionally, about 7 minutes.
• Cool, peel garlic; add to blender with peppers.
• Add milk and honey to blender.
• Puree until smooth.
• Transfer to bowl.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• *DO AHEAD - can be made up to 2 days ahead.
• MUSHROOM CAKES:.
• Melt butter with oil in large heavy skillet over medium high heat.
• Add all mushrooms and sauté until browned and edges begin to crisp, stirring often, about 14 minutes.
• Add garlic; stir 1 minute.
• Transfer mixture to processor.
• Add eggs, Parmesan, herbs, salt and pepper to processor.
• Pulsing on/off turns, process until mushrooms are coarsely chopped.
• Transfer to large bowl & mix in 1/2 cup of panko.
• Divide mushroom mixture into 8 equal portions (1/4 to 1/2 cup each.).
• Form each into 3/4 inch thick cake.
• Spread additional panko out on plate.
• Coat cakes with panko.
• Place on rimmed baking sheet.
• **DO AHEAD - Can be made 4 hours ahead: cover & chill.
• AVOCADO PESTO:.
• Place pine nuts or cashews in processor, pulsing on/off turns, process until coarsely ground.
• Add avocado, Parmesan, cilantro, parsley, and lime juice.
• Process to blend.
• With machine running gradually and 1/4 cup oil through feed tube.
• Transfer to bowl.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• ***DO AHEAD - Can be made 2 hours ahead: cover & chill.
• Preheat oven to 300ºF.
• Melt butter with 2 T oil in large skillet over medium heat.
• Working in 2 batches. add mushroom cakes; cook until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.
• Transfer to baking sheet; place in oven.
• Spoon about 1/3 cup avocado pesto into center of each plate, using back of spoon, spread out to 5 inch round.
• Place 2 cakes on each plate.
• Drizzle with red pepper coulis.

EGGPLANT CASSEROLE WITH RED PEPPER PESTO AND CAJUN BREADCRUMBS

Steps:

• For the casserole: Heat a charcoal grill to medium-high heat. Brush the eggplant with canola oil on both sides and season with salt and pepper. Grill until lightly golden brown and just cooked through, about 3 minutes per side.
• Combine the peppers, pine nuts, garlic, and thyme in a food processor and process until coarsely chopped. With the motor running, slowly the cup olive oil and process until emulsified. Add 1/4 cup Parmesan and some salt and pepper and pulse a few times to incorporate.
• Spoon about 1/2 cup of the pesto over the bottom of a baking dish. Line the dish with the some eggplant slices and then the mozzarella slices. Season with salt and pepper and scatter the oregano leaves over the top. Dollop another 1/2 cup or so of the pesto over, then more eggplant, a bit more pesto and finally the remaining Parmesan. Put on the grill, cover and bake until the cheese is melted and the casserole is hot, about 20 minutes.
• For the breadcrumbs: Heat the oil in a medium saute pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the paprika and cayenne and cook for 30 seconds. Add the breadcrumbs and cook, stirring occasionally, until the crumbs are lightly golden brown. Add the parsley and thyme and season with salt and pepper.
• While the casserole cooks, make the breadcrumbs: Heat the olive oil in a heavy skillet over hot coals or over medium heat. Stir in the breadcrumbs (about 2 cups) and the spice rub and toast, stirring, until the crumbs are golden brown and crisp. Remove from the heat, stir in the parsley, and scatter over the casserole. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

CHICKEN, RED BELL PEPPER, & PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Cook bell pepper in 2 tsp oil in a small saucepan. Remove from pan.
• Cook whole chicken breast in leftover oil, plus ~2tsp. Remove from pan. Allow to cool. Cut into bite-sized pieces.
• Mix pesto package with water and oil. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Turn heat to low.
• Add chicken and pepper to pesto sauce, cook under low heat, covered, ~5 minutes, until everything's warm.
• Mix pasta into the sauce, pepper, and chicken.
• Keep on low heat, uncovered, 5 minutes to let flavors mingle (or not, if you want more distinct flavor).
• Enjoy!

PESTO, ROASTED RED PEPPER AND PARMESAN BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Toast, or grill bread slices.
• Spread pesto.
• Top with roasted peppers and parmesan chese.
• Drizzle with olive oil.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

SHRIMP, SWEET ONION, AND ROASTED RED PEPPER PESTO PIZZA

Steps:

• To make the roasted red pepper pesto (this is optional but highly recommemded), process the garlic and salt in a food processor until garlic is minced.
• Add in the roasted red peppers, parmesan, basil, olive oil, sugar, and red pepper flakes; process until smooth; use immediately or transfer to a covered container and refrigerate for up to 1 week.
• To make the pizza: position an oven rack in the center of the oven and place a baking stone (if using one) on the rack; preheat oven to 500°.
• In a large bowl, toss the shrimp with the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and red pepper flakes.
• Remove the boboli crust from the plastic bag and save the packet of tomato sauce for another time.
• Place the pizza crust on a pizza screen, pizza pan, or rimless baking sheed, or on a pizza peel ready to slide directly onto the baking stone.
• Spread the pesto evenly over the pizza crust, leaving a 1-inch border.
• Scatter the onion and bell pepper over the sauce.
• Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the top.
• Scatter the basil over the cheese; place the shrimp in a single layer over the cheese.
• Place the pizza in the oven on the rack or stone; bake about 10-12 minutes, until the crust is crisp and a deep golden brown, and the shrimp are pink and slightly curled.
• Slice the pizza into wedges and serve immediately.

ROASTED RED PEPPER AND PESTO DIP

Steps:

• Mix pesto and half the cream cheese spread in medium bowl. Stir in half the sour cream.
• Spoon remaining cream cheese spread into separate medium bowl. Add peppers; mix well. Stir in remaining sour cream. Refrigerate both dips 2 hours.
• Spoon dips alternately into serving bowl; swirl with knife. Serve with crackers.

GRILLED FLANK STEAK WITH RED PEPPER PESTO

Steps:

• Mix the oil, vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper together, and brush the mixture on the flank steak. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the raw red pepper, shallot, and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the peppers soften, about 5 minutes.
• Add the roasted red peppers and vinegar and cook for 5 minutes more.
• Remove from heat, cool and stir in the basil and the pine nuts.(this can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. It should be served at room temperature.).
• Preheat the grill to high heat.
• Grill the flank steak for 4 to 8 minutes on each side, depending on the desired doneness. Let the steak rest on a carving plate for 1 or 2 minutes before slicing.
• Slice the steak on the bias and serve it with the red pepper pesto.
• For an Asian twist: Substitute 1 tablespoons soy sauce for the balsamic vinegar. Also, add 1 tsp.minced ginger and Dijon mustard to the marinade.

ROASTED RED PEPPER PESTO CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 350°F.
• Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet and brush lightly on both sides with the 1/4 cup olive oil.
• Lightly toast both sides of bread in oven.
• While the crostini are still warm, rub the top of each one with 1 of the garlic cloves. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a food processor, combine the red peppers, the remaining garlic clove, the almonds, cheese, 3 Tbs. of the parsley, the lemon juice, the 2 teaspoons olive oil and the cayenne pepper. Pulse until a coarse puree forms. Season with salt and black pepper.
• Place the crostini in a single layer on a baking sheet.
• Spread about 2 teaspoons of the goat cheese on each crostini.
• Bake until the cheese is slightly soft and the crostini are warm, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a platter and top each with about 1 Tbs. of the red pepper pesto.
• Sprinkle with the remaining 1 Tbs. parsley.

ROASTED RED PEPPER-PESTO SPREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F. Beat cream cheese and ricotta cheese in medium bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add remaining ingredients; mix well. Pour into 9-inch pie plate.
• Bake 50 min. or until center is almost set. Cool completely. Cover.
• Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. Let stand at room temperature 15 min. before serving to soften slightly. Serve with assorted crackers.

RED PEPPER PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spread pine nuts on a baking sheet and bake until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Remove and let cool.
• Place peppers directly over the trivet of a gas-stove burner over high heat, or on a grill. Just as each section turns puffy and black, turn pepper with tongs to prevent overcooking. (If you don't have a gas stove, place peppers on a baking pan, and broil in the oven, turning as each side becomes charred.) Transfer peppers to a large bowl, and cover immediately with plastic wrap. Let peppers sweat until they are cool enough to handle, about 15 minutes; then transfer to a work surface. Peel off the blackened skin and discard.
• Coarsely chop peppers and transfer to a food processor. Add pine nuts. With machine running, add olive oil in a steady stream. Continue processing, scraping down the sides as needed until pureed. Season with salt and pepper.

PESTO AND RED PEPPER SPREAD

Steps:

• Beat cream cheese, pesto and mustard with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended.
• Place half of the cream cheese mixture in 2-cup plastic wrap-lined bowl; press cream cheese mixture firmly into bowl. Top with peppers. Cover with remaining cream cheese mixture, spreading to edge of bowl. Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or until firm.
• Unmold cream cheese mixture onto serving plate; remove plastic wrap. Serve as a spread for the crackers.

PEPPER STEAK WITH ROASTED RED PEPPER PESTO

Steps:

• Sprinkle both sides of steak with pepper and salt; brush with oil. Heat grill pan over medium-high heat until hot. Add steak; cook 10 to 15 minutes, turning once, or until of desired doneness. Remove steak from pan to cutting board; let stand 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in small bowl, mix pesto, roasted peppers and lemon juice. Cut steak into thin slices. Serve with red pepper pesto.

WILD MUSHROOM CAKES WITH AVOCADO PESTO AND RED PEPPER COULIS

Steps:

• Red Pepper Coulis: Char peppers in broiler until blackened and seal in paper bag for 15 minutes. Peel and seed pepper. Blend. Place garlic cloves in small dry skillet. Cover. Cook over med heat until brown and tender, shaking skillet occastionally. Cool. Peel. Add to blender. Add milk and honey. Puree. Mushroom Cakes: Melt butter with oil in heavy large skillet, medium high heat. Add mushies, cook for 14 minutes. Add garlic, cook 1 min. Put mixture in processor. Add eggs, parm, herbs, salt and pepper. Chop. Transfer to large bowl, mix in 0.5 cup panko. Divide into 8 portions, make cakes. Coat cakes with panko. Place on rimmed baking sheet. Preheat oven to 300. Melt butter with oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add cakes. Cook 5 min per side. Transfer to baking sheet. Place in oven to keep warm. Avocado pesto: Mix all ingredients in processor. Serve pesto. Place cakes on top, and drizzle with coulis.

GRILLED CHICKEN SKEWERS WITH RED PEPPER PESTO

Steps:

• Blend first 7 ingredients and 6 tablespoons of oil in a food processor until almost smooth. Add almonds and process until finely chopped, but not ground. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Prepare grill (medium-high heat) or preheat broiler. Brush chicken with remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces. Skewer each piece with toothpick. Arrange on platter and serve with pesto.