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5.16.2008

Toasted Pecan Chipolte Pesto....A Taste of the Mediterranean Event


OK, so this is not so Mediterranean. Antonio is hosting a monthly event devoted to all things of a Mediterranean influence. And he has some great prizes. This months theme was to create a Pesto. The only rules were that it have ground nuts,oil, and cheese. Now this is affordable event for me. With the change of seasons a lot of Bloggers are taking breaks or focusing on lighter foods. If you have noticed I have been a canning binge. I can still cook , but don't have to eat it all at once. Along this line,condiments fascinate me. So with my pantry ingredients I created this powerful, fragrant pesto that's burst with flavor!I can also store it the fridge for a few weeks, but by that time it will be gone.I served my pesto up with a simple pan fried chicken breast light;y seasoned, as the pesto would would be the focus. Boy was it good.I'm not a huge nut fan, but I have come to love pecans used in crusts for savory dishes.When you examine the benefits of this nut you can see why Glamah is in love. Vitamin E and anti oxidants! I could double this as facial mask(you can tell I have been in the Cosmetics industry too long).And the big fat cloves of garlic used are known as a antibiotic . So here it is quick and simple.


Toasted Pecan Chipolte Pesto

3 oz pecans halves( half a 6 oz bag)
3 large cloves of garlic
1 dried chipolte pepper
4 tablespoons Reggiano cheese
Sea Salt
Extra Virgin Olive Oil ( about 1/4-1/2 cup depending on texture)

Lightly toast your pecans in a dry saucepan. Because of the high oil content , toss frequently and do not burn.In a spice grinder , grind the chipolte pepper.Add pecans and pulse . Do not turn to a butter. Add Chipoltes and pecan mixture to your blender of food processor. Add cheese and salt to taste. Pour in olive oil gradually and blend, occasionally scrapping down sides, until all is incorporated.Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks.
A few side notes...

Marie over at Proud Italian Cook asked me for my watermelon martini recipe. I made a lot of these last summer for a family party. Due to large size of guests it was the perfect drink as I could pre make my 'watermelon juice'. The trick is to strain it so your shaker doesn't get all clogged up. I also used frozen bits to keep it cold. As I have a freezer bag of watermelon this week( also makes great smoothies people!) I came up with this for Marie.This is based for 1 drink.
2 parts frozen or non frozen watermelon
1 part citrus flavored vodka
1 part pomegranate juice( optional or lemon juice if you use regular vodka)
1 part triple sec or Cointreau.
Blend all the ingredients in a blender. Pour in Shaker to strain as you pour into chilled martini glasses.
And last but not least...

Swati of Sugar Craft India gave me this award. I admit I'm horrible with the award and meme thing. I know I have let some go unanswered ,but I truly appreciated it. I'm more of a voyeur than doer. If you haven't seen Swati's blog check her out. Shes amazing and I wish Certain Someone would suggest we fly to India to visit this amazing woman so I can take some classes from the Sugar Craft Master!Please honey? Anyway Swati says I make her day and I just want all of you to know you make Mine!So consider this award passed on to all of you fun, bright , creative people.

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30 comments:

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

What a gorgeous idea! That pesto must taste terribly good, especially over chicken! I'd love sip of that martini...

Cheers,

rosa

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

There is such depth of flavour here:D

Anonymous said...

This sounds really interesting, creative and delicious. I love the food risks you take. I was thinking maybe some curry powder would go well in this too... but maybe that would be too overpowering. You go, girl!

Peter M said...

Yeah, nicely put...you take food risks and that's how new, great combos like this arise. You rock grrl!

Jen said...

Oh.... Courtney... this pesto looks SO good! I will definitely, definitely be making this with chicken ASAP!

Cynthia said...

Man I got to make to Chicago and come hang out in your kitchen as you create and I sample :)

Heather said...

Mmmm...chipotle and pecans... what a unique and creative combination! And the watermelon martini sounds delicious too! Summer's really here, isn't it?

Proud Italian Cook said...

Courtney, You made this for me??? Awwww,Thank you, you're so sweet!!! I guarantee you, I will be sipping these martini's as soon as I come back from vacation! I'll soon be hauling those big watermelons home from Sam's or Costco, cutting up the flesh and freezing it for my new summer cocktail! I already have a huge bottle of vodka from there, just sitting in the back of my freezer, all ready to go.
And as for your pesto! Creative and brilliant! You ARE the condiment girl!!!
xoxo,
Marie

MyKitchenInHalfCups said...

Courtney, quick, simple and packed with flavorful health!! That sounds like the very best there is.

Anonymous said...

Delicious and creative combination!

Antonio Tahhan said...

yup, I got your submission and posted a link to it in the main project page. This pesto is original and sounds/looks phenomenal; great job!!

Emily said...

THAT cocktail sounds amazing! I'm going to have to try that. It's perfect for the summer. I'm going to make it on my bday-July 4th. Thanks so much.

Also, the pesto sounds great. Puhcans/Peeecans are my favorite nut.

Anonymous said...

Your pesto and martini look divine! Congrats on your award. It's well deserved.

Paz ;-)

Lisa said...

Oh oh! Watermelon martini -- I'm there! Yum-o. (The pesto is nothing to sneeze at, either, but I'm caught up in the martini.)

Love your new banner.

G said...

I love your blog's new look... plus your new post, of course. I'm salivating and it's nearly midnight. What are you doing to me? ARGH!!! :)

Nina Timm said...

You are an amazing cook, Courtney - always inventing and ALWAYS sharing. Well done on both recipes.

african vanielje said...

not only does your pesto sound yummy, so does the watermelon martini. When we were teenagers we used to inject watermelons with vodka and then freeze them before taking the whole thing down to the beach. Perfectly portable cocktails. I love summer

Anonymous said...

Grrr.. your new photo icon is very Glamah! Niiice!! :-)

The pesto looks incredible and the martini.. oh well, the martini just look out of this world. Can i have one for breakfast and not be called an alcoholic? :-)

LisaRene said...

You changed your look! Very nice, I think this new format shows off your recipe photos much better.

Very creative pesto. I'd be happy with the pesto, crusty bread and wine :)

Toni said...

Oh how I wish I had thought of watermelon martinis for last nite's party!

The pesto looks terrific! Anything with chipotles works for me.

Anonymous said...

A watermelon martini, fascinating! Looks delicious, too.

Rosie said...

Delicious Coco and what a great combo :) Congrats sweetie on your award too!

Rosie x

Thistlemoon said...

What a great idea for a pesto! I love it so much! :) What a cool event too, thanks for letting us know about it!

Congrats on your award too!

Anonymous said...

DId someone say chipotle? :)
Wow, this sounds awesome..and I have most of the stuff...
Hey, did you make a new blog header? SOmething is different.

SteamyKitchen said...

wow that's so creative for pesto. love the idea

aaaannnnd....anything with pomegranate juice is delicious

L Vanel said...

Man that pesto looks delicious! I love the pairing with chicken. Nice. I so wish I could get my hands on some pecans.

Nikki @ NikSnacks said...

I went to a party last night and there were two watermelons in the sink: One filled with one bottle of regular rum and the other with a peach rum. Apparently, they'd been sitting there for two days. I literally put one forkful in my mouth and I was done for the rest of the night. Your martini brought that back.

Gabi said...

Well can I come over for some yummy pesto and a watermelon martini? I am SO in the mood ;)
xoxo

Núria said...

Wow Courtney... I love the Pesto with nuts and love the cocktail!!! Will try the pesto for sure, must be so flavourful and the cocktail is just perfect for summer nights ;-)

Half Baked said...

The pesto looks great! I want some of that watermelon martini! That's the perfect drink for the hot summer months:)