Bright, fresh green herbs awaken our senses.
Arugula Pesto
Bright, fresh green herbs awaken the senses! Our featured Food & Nutrition Test Kitchen recipe is Arugula Pesto, developed by Jill Melton, MS, RD. Almost any herb or leafy green can be tossed into pesto, including kale, basil, parsley, cilantro and arugula. Customize it to suit your preferences and ingredients you have on hand.
Dollop pesto onto hot pasta, chicken chili, beans, turkey roll-ups or inside stuffed shells. Use it as a dip for crudité and pita chips, a spread on sandwiches or however you like!
On social media, share pics of your pesto on its own or added to a meal or snack (an element on a charcuterie board, perhaps?) with the hashtag #FNTestKitchen.
After you make this recipe, submit feedback and photos via our Test Kitchen form (deadline: May 28). You’ll be entered to win a Véritable® SMART Garden ($249 value)!
Ingredients
2 garlic cloves
½ cup toasted walnuts or pine nuts
4 cups packed arugula leaves
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
¼ cup water
2 ounces finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
¼ teaspoon coarse salt
Directions
- Place garlic cloves in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
- Add the nuts and pulse.
- Add arugula and process until finely chopped.
- With machine running, slowly add the olive oil and water until a paste forms.
- Stir in the cheese and salt.
Nutrition Information
Serves 20
Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
Calories 57; Total fat 5g; Sat. Fat 1g; Chol. 2mg; Sodium 69mg; Carb 1g; Fiber 0g; Sugars 0g; Protein 2g; Potassium 33mg; Phosphorus 33mg
Chimichurri Verde
This zesty green sauce comes Argentina makes a great marinade and sauce for chicken, beef, fish and shellfish. Try chimichurri in place of cocktail sauce with cold shrimp. It takes well to any combination of herbs and spices. Fresh oregano and red pepper flakes are good additions.
Ingredients
1 cup basil leaves
1 cup parsley leaves
½ cup cilantro leaves
⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 shallot, chopped; or ¼ cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic
¼ cup sherry or red wine vinegar
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon salt
Directions
Combine all ingredients in a food processor. Process until smooth.
Nutrition Information
Serves 16
Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
Calories 44; Total fat 5g; Sat. Fat 1g; Chol. 0mg; Sodium 76mg; Carb. 1g; Fiber 0g; Sugars 0g; Protein 0g; Potassium 38mg; Phosphorus 6mg
Gremolata
Recipe by Jill Melton, MS, RD
Gremolata is a traditional accompaniment to the Milanese braised veal shank dish osso buco alla Milanese, and brightens up steak, vegetables and beans. Add Parmigiana-Reggiano cheese and olive oil to serve with roast chicken.
Ingredients
1 cup loosely-packed parsley
1 clove garlic
2 lemons
Directions
- Finely chop parsley.
- With a microplane or fine grater, grate the garlic and then the lemons (avoiding the bitter white pith underneath the skin) until you have 1 tablespoon of zest.
- Combine parsley, garlic and lemon.
- Serve with pasta and olive oil, fish, roast chicken or stew.
Serving Variation
Parmesan Gremolata: Add ¼ cup finely-grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice and ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil to parsley mixture.
Nutrition Information
Serves 8
Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
Calories 4; Total fat 0g; Sat. Fat 0g; Chol. 0mg; Sodium 4mg; Carb 1g; Fiber 0g; Sugars 0g; Protein 0g; Potassium 45mg; Phosphorus 5mg
