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A Whole New Pesto

Posted Tue, Mar 25, 2008, 5:20 pm PDT
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You might not associate Italian food with South America, but there's actually a lot of Italian influence in countries such as Peru and Argentina. Tallarin Verde is a popular dish in Peru that translates to "green spaghetti." Its sauce is made with nuts, cream cheese, garlic, fresh spinach, and basil in a food processor or blender, so it's really quick and great for kids!

Recipe
Makes 6 servings 

16 oz. thin spaghetti
1/4 cup walnuts
1/4 lb. cream cheese (4 oz.), cut into cubes
1 cup fresh basil leaves
3 cups fresh spinach leaves
1/2 cup evaporated milk
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tbsp. chopped onion
1 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. olive oil
Grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups grilled chicken or steak, cut in strips (optional) 

1.  Bring two quarts of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until done to your liking. Drain the spaghetti.

2.  While the pasta is cooking, add the remaining ingredients (except the Parmesan and meat) to a food processor or blender, and blend until smooth. 

3.  Warm the sauce over low heat in a saucepan for a few minutes, or in a microwave. If using chicken or steak, either cook them fresh, or warm the leftovers in a microwave.

4.  Toss the sauce with the pasta (and optional sliced meat) in a large serving bowl. Sprinkle Parmesan on each serving.

Adapted from Jorge Chan

Average (15 Ratings): 4.5 out of 5 stars

13 Comments

  • 1. Posted by nancyanddog on Fri, May 23, 2008, 8:57 am PDT

    I'd love to try this, but I can't get past Evaporated Milk! Yuck. Has anyone substituted anything else?

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  • 2. Posted by acumother on Sun, May 25, 2008, 5:49 pm PDT

    NancyandDog, You can substitute half-and-half or cream for the evaporated milk. It will make the flavor richer, but it will also increase the fat content. If you want to keep the fat closer to that in the original recipe, substitute Nuefchatel cheese for the cream cheese and use half-and half for the evaporated milk.

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  • 3. Posted by blissfulvibe on Sun, May 25, 2008, 10:55 pm PDT

    Hey Acumother, You are a thinker; And Nancyanddog, I understand. Evaporated milk is for Coffee and Thai Tea. But this lady is Italian and I can not imagine an Italian making something you can taste the flavor of evaporated milk in; But on the other hand, I am Greek and I do not own a food processor. When you put basil into a food processor or chop it with a knife that is not extremely sharp, it turns the basil black. It takes a while to chop it up fine and you have to do the chopping the way my mother taught me. I notice that most people do not know how to chop or keep their knives sharp. Your meal is as good as the love you put into it. My neighbor is East Indian and a fabulous cook. I have heard neighbors comment and some of them have asked for the recipes of dishes they have not tried, but have smelled brewing in our kitchens when the aroma of our cooking gently reaches their nose on the other side of our condominium front doors. Not only those that love to cook, but almost anyone will love a movie called "Like Water for Chocolate" It is an older film with a few subtitles, but the narrator is speaking in English throughout the film. It is the story of a young girl that was raised in the kitchen. You will laugh; You will cry. It is a MUST SEE!

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  • 4. Posted by bocacheeka on Mon, May 26, 2008, 5:59 am PDT

    You arent drinking the evaporated milk in this recipe anymore than you would be eating baking powder or baking soda as an ingredient in a cake recipe. It is one of the ingredients that make the reipe work and it thicker than half and half, better for you too. Once blended and served this recipe is delicious and if you didnt know the ingredients you would just enjoy the meal fully!

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  • 5. Posted by pritiradia on Fri, Jun 06, 2008, 10:20 am PDT

    it look like a good receipe for a pesto. I do make it at home all the time with different ingrediants rather then traditional ones. I do use Almonds instead of walnuts & I use it fatfree half & half so overall it comes out equally tasty. Also try it with Gorgonzola cheese it is yummy!

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  • 6. Posted by tabli14 on Wed, Jun 11, 2008, 2:06 am PDT

    I agree! My friends on site SugarCupid.c om maybe have some word to say. Come on.

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  • 7. Posted by tabli14 on Wed, Jun 11, 2008, 2:07 am PDT

    I agree! My friends on site SugarCupid.c om maybe have some word to say. Come on.

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  • 8. Posted by skittles2320 on Thu, Jun 12, 2008, 6:28 am PDT

    Yummy! That's soundz so good!! I need to try it, I love this recipe.

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  • 9. Posted by paulettecarini on Wed, Jun 18, 2008, 12:49 pm PDT

    I've been making pesto for years and am usually asked to bring it when I go to parties. Try pignoli (pine nuts) they're better than almonds or walnuts.

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  • 10. Posted by Lynn on Wed, Jun 18, 2008, 4:18 pm PDT

    I have to agree with the pine nuts. I've always used them in pesto.

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  • 11. Posted by Carol on Fri, Jun 20, 2008, 6:27 pm PDT

    Oh yes, pine nuts definitely!

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  • 12. Posted by CHEF ZIP on Sat, Jun 21, 2008, 12:56 pm PDT

    I ALSO AM A PESTO FAN, WHAT I AM NOT A FAN OF IS HOW HEAVY IT CAN BE, AS FAR AS THE EVAPORATED MILK GOES, I DON'T SEE THAT MAKING THE DISH ANY LIGHTER. TRY CUTTING YOUR PESTO WITH LOW FAT "NOT FAT FREE" YOGURT! THE ZING YOU GET FROM THE YOGURT ACCENTUATES THE SAUCE VERY WELL AND IT COOKS DOWN BEAUTIFULLY. STRANGELY ENOUGH WHEN TIME OF YEAR MAKES PESTO TO COSTLY TO MAKE, I REACH FOR COSTCO'S BRAND. NO PRESERVATIVES, BUT VERY DENSE ON ITS OWN. OVER ALL AN EXCELLENT PRODUCT, DARN CLOSE TO SCRATCH.

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  • 13. Posted by kristine m on Tue, Jun 24, 2008, 10:45 am PDT

    i think the whole reason they called it a "new pesto" is because of the the new ingredients in it. i think people should try it first before they start "dissing" it.

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