Best Rocket Pesto Recipes

WHOLE SMOKE-ROASTED STRIPED BASS AND ROCKET PESTO

Steps:

• Make sure the fish has had all its scales removed, and that the inside cavity is clean. If there are any scales left, remove them using the back of a knife to scrape the skin from tail to head. Pat the skin dry with a towel.
• Prepare smoker and bring heat to 400degreesF (200 degrees C). We recommend oak or hickory as the smoke wood.
• In a blender, puree the olive oil, garlic, 5 cups (300 g) parsley leaves, rosemary, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth. Coat the fish with the herb mixture inside and out. Stuff the cavity with the basil, tarragon, thyme, and remaining 1 bunch parsley.
• Transfer fish to a large foil-lined baking sheet, and smoke for 5 minutes for every inch (2.5 cm) the fish measures at its largest circumference, or until the fish's internal temperature reaches 140 degrees F (60 degrees C).
• To serve, gently transfer roasted fish to a large platter or cutting board and drizzle with Rocket Pesto. Serve with Cheesy Grilled Corn.
• Pesto is traditionally made with basil, garlic, parmesan or pecorino cheese, pine nuts, and olive oil, but we thought we'd shake things up a bit by replacing the basil with arugula and substituting pistachios for pine nuts.
• In a food processor, puree the pistachios, garlic, and cheese. Add arugula and pulse to combine. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
• Grilled corn with cotija cheese (a hard, dry cheese named for the town in Mexico from whence it originates), mayonnaise, and a dusting of chili powder is popular street food in Mexico. One bite and it's easy to see why. Here's our version.
• In the bowl of a food processor, puree the egg yolks, garlic, and lemon juice. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in oil to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a bowl and reserve.
• Prepare grill. When fire is medium-hot (you should not be able to hold your hand over the coals for more than 10 seconds), grill corn for about 5 minutes, rolling it to toast all sides and keep it from burning (C). Remove from grill and slather with aioli, then sprinkle with queso fresco and chili powder. Serve with lime wedges.

COURGETTE TORTILLA WEDGES WITH PESTO & ROCKET

Steps:

• Heat 2 tsp olive oil in a non-stick frying pan about 25cm across, add the courgette slices and cook for 5 mins until softened, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, beat the eggs with seasoning and the garlic in a large bowl.
• Tip the courgettes from the pan and wipe it out with kitchen paper. Add the remaining oil to the pan and return to the heat. Stir the courgettes into the eggs, then pour into the frying pan and cook over a low heat for 10 mins until almost completely set. Slide onto a large plate, then flip back into the pan and briefly cook the other side to set the last bit of raw egg. (If you are nervous about flipping it over, you can grill the top instead.) Remove from the pan onto a board.
• Tip the tomatoes into the pan for 2-3 mins to soften a little and char the skins. Cut the tortilla in half widthways, spread one half with 2 tbsp pesto, then top with the other half. Cut into wedges and top with the remaining pesto, the tomatoes and rocket.

TUNA PASTA WITH ROCKET & PARSLEY PESTO

Steps:

• Cook the pasta in a large pan of salted boiling water, adding the green beans and cherry tomatoes for the final 3 mins of cooking time. Drain, reserving a mug of cooking water.
• Whizz the parsley, half the rocket, 3 tbsp of oil from the tuna, the lemon zest and juice, and some seasoning with enough of the reserved water in a food processor to form a spoonable pesto dressing.
• Tip the pasta and veg back into the pan and add the pesto, both cans of tuna and the soured cream or cream cheese, stirring through until hot. Remove from the heat and toss the rest of the rocket through the pasta.

CREAMY EDAMAME PESTO PASTA WITH ROCKET SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the pasta following pack instructions. Meanwhile, put the frozen edamame in a bowl, pour over 2 tbsp of water and cook in the microwave on high for about 5 mins. Leave in the water, covered, for 2 mins more. Alternatively, simmer the edamame in a pan of boiling water for 2-3 mins.
• To make the pesto, put 150g of the edamame, the oil, cashews, garlic, parmesan and some seasoning in a blender and whizz to a smooth paste. You can add up to 6 tbsp water to help it blend if the mixture is too thick.
• Once the pasta is cooked, stir in the pesto and the remaining edamame, then serve with the rocket on the side and an extra grating of cheese, if you like.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO AND ROCKET PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Place the tomatoes, garlic, half of the pinenuts, rocket and basil in a food processor and process until smooth.
• Toast the remaining pinenuts until golden. Set aside.
• Slowly add the oil to the basil mixture while the processor is running. Turn the processor off and then stir through the parmesan.
• Stir pesto through the pasta then sprinkle with the reserved pinenuts. Serve immediately with salad and crusty bread.

ROCKET PESTO

Steps:

• Combine the pine nuts, rocket, Parmesan, olive oil and garlic clove in a blender. Season and blend to a paste. Will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.