What Do With A Small Jar Of Pesto

Pesto is traditionally served as a pasta sauce.

Pesto is a traditional condiment in many cultures. The word "pesto" means "pestle" and in the strictest sense, refers to any sauce that is made from solid ingredients crushed together with a mortar and pestle. The traditional Italian version is made from fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts and olive oil.

Pesto Dip

A small amount of pesto goes a long way when it's used as a flavoring. Mix 2 or 3 tablespoons of pesto into a cup of mayonnaise, sour cream or creme fraiche. Serve with crackers, fresh vegetables or French bread. Mix pesto with mashed avocado and salsa for a quick herbed guacamole. Serve with tortilla chips, fresh tomatos and other seasonal vegetables.

Pesto Butter

Soften 8 ounces of butter to room temperature. Mix in 2 or 3 tablespoons of pesto. Spoon the butter onto a 12-inch square of plastic wrap and roll it into a log. Twist the ends to seal the log. Refrigerate for 4 hours or until firm.

Condiment

Serve pesto as a condiment to add to soups or chili. A spoonful of pesto adds flavor and depth to traditional casseroles such as macaroni and cheese and tuna noodle casserole. Add a spoonful or two of pesto to packaged tomato sauce to customize the flavor.

Spread

Use pesto instead of mayonnaise on sandwiches, or make pesto-flavored mayonnaise to add a gourmet touch to ordinary ham and cheese. Use pesto instead of, or in addition to, tomato sauce on homemade pizza.

Fish and Chicken

Serve pesto over grilled or baked fish or chicken breasts. Since these proteins are mildly flavored, a little pesto is all you need to add interest without overwhelming the natural flavor of fish or chicken.

Marinade

Coat chicken, fish, pork or beef in pesto. Marinade the protein for 2 to 3 hours in the refrigerator before cooking. The intense flavor of the pesto will infuse the meat and give it a deeper flavor.

Freeze

Pesto freezes well. If you only use a small amount of pesto at a time, freeze the rest in ice cube trays. When you want a single serving of pesto for pasta, soup or dip simply thaw one or two cubes in the microwave.

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