Rocket Pesto

Pesto is widely known as the Classic basil and pine nuts. But there are many version of pesto in Italy: with sun dried tomatoes, with courgette (zucchini) but the one I’m proposing today is made with Rocket (or Arugula for US friends), which it makes this pesto more peppery compared to the classic one.

We mostly buy pesto in the supermarket, even though the salt intake is so high and some of them really taste horrible, so I had enough and decided to make my own, considering it only take less than 5 minutes to make (2 if you use a food blender).

It is perfect for seasoning pasta (cold or hot), but also great dressing for salad or as a spread for a quick sandwich.

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5 simple ingredients

• Rocket (Arugula)
• Pine Nuts
• Garlic
• Extra Virgin olive oil
• Sea Salt

Ready? let’s start!

Rocket Pesto

this alternative to the classic “Basil pesto” is a must try. This dressing is perfect for a pasta or a salad or even as a spread for a sandwich.

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Prep Time 5 mins

Total Time 5 mins

Course Appetizer, pasta, spread

Cuisine Italian

Servings 2 people

Ingredients

  

for the pesto

• 50 g rocket (arugula) washed
• 25 g pine nuts
• 1 small garlic clove
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 pinch sea salt

optional

• 25 g Parmesan cheese finely grated

Instructions

 

• Combine garlic and salt together into a mortar (or into a blender) and pulse.
• Add the pine nuts and the rocket until it becomes mixed, but still with bits.
• Serve into a small bowl and stir the Parmesan and the olive oil. 

Keyword arugula pesto, pesto, rocket pesto

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tips

• if you want to make it for 4 people, just double up the doses
• Dry the rocket after you washed and blend, otherwise if you keep it in the fridge it could make mold
• try to blend for short time as the heat coming form the blade could change the taste of the pesto
• you can replace the pine nuts with any nuts: almost, pecan, Brazilian.
• you can also add some basil leaves or coriander.