3-Ingredient Pesto Vinaigrette Recipe (2024)

FAQs

3-Ingredient Pesto Vinaigrette Recipe? ›

In a high-speed blender, or food processor, combine the extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, fresh lemon juice, garlic, Parmesan cheese, fresh basil leaves, salt, and black pepper. Secure the lid and blend until the basil breaks down and the dressing looks nearly a uniform green color.

In a high-speed blender, or food processor, combine the extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, fresh lemon juice, garlic, Parmesan cheese, fresh basil leaves, salt, and black pepper. Secure the lid and blend until the basil breaks down and the dressing looks nearly a uniform green color.

The standard ratio for making vinaigrette is three parts oil to one part vinegar, but because the vinegars I use are mild and extra virgin olive oil is quite assertive, I usually wind up at about two parts oil to one part vinegar, or even a little stronger.

Its scarcity, plus the fact that the plants are picked roots, soil, and all to ensure that only juvenile leaves make it into pesto, makes it extraordinarily expensive and something that only premium, artisan pesto makers can justify using.

A sealed jar of pesto will typically last between four and six weeks in your pantry, with the exact "best by" date depending on the brand and type of pesto. But once you crack open a jar of the store-bought sauce, it's best to only keep it around for up to five days in the fridge.

In this easy method, garlic and mustard are used as emulsifiers to help bind the surfaces of the water and oil in the dressing. Adding other ingredients like nuts, honey, mayonnaise, and tahini will also help emulsify the dressing.

"Light, heat and oxygen can all cause oil to go rancid over time," says Ann Ziata, a chef at the Institute of Culinary Education.

Sweetness balances out acidity, spice, and bitterness. A salad composed of bitter greens may benefit from a sweeter dressing. But sweetness can come from sources other than one-note white sugar; consider honey, pureed dates, maple syrup, jam, or molasses as sweeteners that also add flavor and mouth-feel.

Traditional pesto is a thick, green sauce that tastes bright and herby from the basil, and salty and rich from the cheeses and pine nuts. It should be garlicky, with pleasant grassiness from good quality olive oil.

How to make pesto giada? ›

Pistachios, almonds, and walnuts or even seeds like sunflower, sesame, and pumpkin can replace the traditional pine nuts in pesto. Pretty much any edible nut tastes delicious—just make sure to toast and cool the nut before grinding them into the sauce.

The French have decided that the perfect ratio for a vinaigrette is 3 parts oil to 1 part vinegar. For my personal taste, that's a little too oily — but it's totally up to you. My simple system is: In a small screw-top jar, place vinegar and a pinch of salt; cover and shake (this helps to dissolve the salt).

Red Wine Vinegar

Red wine vinegar is similar to its white wine counterpart. It's derived from a red wine base and offers a sweet, less acidic taste. This Mediterranean staple has a mellow flavor profile that is perfect for use in vinaigrettes and reductions.

Pesto, or pesto alla genovese, is a basil-based sauce that originated in Genoa, the capital of Liguria, Italy. Traditional pesto is made with basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, salt, and Parmesan (or another type of hard Italian cheese, such as Pecorino).

Mix in fresh basil pesto, green olives, and pine nuts. Gently toss in cherry tomatoes, peas, fresh basil leaves, and olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve at room temperature.

Pesto is made out of olive oil, which research has shown to beneficial in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease (1). The antioxidant risk oil is also good for reducing oxidative damage of LDL cholesterol in our blood, helping to reduce the risk factor of atherosclerosis, heart disease and stroke.

As you would expect, pesto's wider variety of ingredients means it does slightly better in the vitamin and mineral stakes. Pesto outsmarts tomato sauce in many of these, but the pasta sauce still provides a sizeable chunk of your recommended daily targets.