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Sicilian Tomato Pesto

Sicilian Tomato Pesto
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Sicilian Tomato Pesto is a vibrant, fresh, and flavorful Mediterranean sauce made from ripe cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, nuts, and cheese. Ready in under 15 minutes, this versatile pesto is perfect as a pasta sauce, spread, or dip, delivering a quick and healthy burst of sunshine to your meals.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 400g ripe cherry tomatoes, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (plus extra for storing)
  • 2 tbsp pine nuts or almonds (lightly toasted, optional but recommended)
  • 1/4 cup grated Pecorino or Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • Sea salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prep the Tomatoes and Basil: Rinse the ripe cherry tomatoes and fresh basil leaves thoroughly and pat dry. Roughly chop the tomatoes to ease blending, keeping the basil leaves whole to preserve their fresh flavor.
  2. Combine Ingredients in a Food Processor: Add the chopped tomatoes, basil, garlic cloves, and pine nuts or almonds into a food processor. Pulse several times to start mixing, maintaining some texture rather than blending until smooth.
  3. Add Olive Oil Slowly: With the food processor running on low speed, gradually drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil. This step emulsifies the sauce, giving it a silky, light, and fresh consistency.
  4. Season to Taste: Add the grated Pecorino or Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Pulse briefly to incorporate the seasoning evenly. Taste and adjust as needed.
  5. Serve or Store: Use the Sicilian Tomato Pesto immediately or transfer it to an airtight container. Refrigerate and cover with a thin layer of olive oil to preserve flavor and freshness for up to 3 days.

Notes

  • Choose the ripest tomatoes for the sweetest and most flavorful pesto.
  • Do not overblend; keep some texture for an authentic rustic finish.
  • Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil for best taste and mouthfeel.
  • Lightly toast nuts to enhance their aroma and flavor.
  • Adjust the amount of olive oil to reach your preferred pesto consistency.

Nutrition

Keywords: Sicilian tomato pesto, tomato pesto, Mediterranean sauce, basil pesto, no-cook pesto, quick pesto recipe, fresh tomato sauce

Find it online: https://eazyum.com/sicilian-tomato-pesto/