Best 5 Asian Pesto Recipes

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Embark on a culinary adventure and tantalize your taste buds with the vibrant flavors of Asian pesto. This delectable sauce, inspired by the rich traditions of Asian cuisine, offers a unique blend of aromatic herbs, savory spices, and nutty oils. From the zesty tang of lime leaves to the warmth of ginger and the distinctive flavor of sesame, Asian pesto captures the essence of the East. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a home cook looking to explore new culinary horizons, this article will guide you through the art of creating and using this versatile condiment.

Let's cook with our recipes!

ASIAN PESTO WITH GRILLED SHRIMP



Asian Pesto with Grilled Shrimp image

Provided by Ming Tsai

Categories     appetizer

Time 55m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

3/4 cup roasted peanuts
4 Serrano chiles
3 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon minced ginger
Juice of 3 limes
2 tablespoons fish sauce (3 Crab brand)
1/2 cup peanut oil (Lion and Globe brand)
1/2 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
2 cups Thai basil leaves
1 cup cilantro leaves
1 cup mint leaves
Canola oil
12 large shrimp, peeled, deveined, tail on
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 head baby romaine chiffonade

Steps:

  • In a food processor: puree peanuts, chiles, garlic, ginger, lime juice, fish sauce, oil, salt and sugar until smooth. Do not overmix as you can heat the mixture. Add the herbs and puree smooth. Check for seasoning. Oil shrimp on both sides and season. Grill on both sides for about 5 minutes total.
  • Place a layer of romaine on a plate. Lay 3 grilled shrimp on top and liberally drizzle with pesto.

THAI SPICES SHRIMP SALAD WITH ASIAN GREENS AND PESTO DRESSING



Thai Spices Shrimp Salad with Asian Greens and Pesto Dressing image

Categories     Salad     Food Processor     Pasta     Coconut     Basil     Macadamia Nut     Shrimp     Curry     Chill     Cabbage     Cilantro     Simmer     Boil     Bon Appétit

Yield Makes 6 first-course or 4 main-course servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

For dressing
3/4 cup (packed) coarsely chopped fresh basil
1/3 cup macadamia nuts, toasted
4 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon olive oil (preferably extra-virgin)
For shrimp
1 cup canned unsweetened coconut milk
1 tablespoon Thai red curry paste
24 uncooked large shrimp (about 1 pound), peeled, deveined
2 ounces dried thin Chinese rice sticks (maifun) or angel hair pasta
4 cups thinly sliced Napa cabbage
4 cups thinly sliced bok choy leaves
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Fresh cilantro sprigs

Steps:

  • Make dressing:
  • Blend basil, nuts and vinegar in processor until nuts are finely ground. With machine running, gradually add oil and blend well. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to small bowl. (Dressing can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before using.)
  • Make shrimp:
  • Whisk coconut milk and curry paste in medium saucepan over medium-low heat until blended; bring to simmer. Add shrimp and simmer until shrimp are almost opaque in center, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Refrigerate shrimp in curry liquid, uncovered, until very cold, about 2 hours.
  • Place rice sticks in medium bowl. Cover with very hot water. Let stand until tender, about 25 minutes. Drain rice sticks. (If using pasta, cook in pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain well; rinse pasta with cold water and drain again.) Using knife or poultry shears, cut rice sticks or pasta into shorter (about 6-inch) lengths. Place noodles in medium bowl and toss with enough dressing to coat.
  • Combine cabbage, bok choy, green onions and chopped cilantro in large bowl. Toss with enough dressing to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Divide greens among plates. Top with noodles. Drain shrimp; place atop noodles, dividing equally. Garnish with cilantro sprigs. Pass any remaining dressing separately.

ASIAN CILANTRO-PEANUT PESTO



ASIAN CILANTRO-PEANUT PESTO image

Categories     Sauce     Herb

Yield 1 batch

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 cup tightly packed cilantro
1/3 cup unsalted roasted peanuts
1 small green chile, deseeded and roughly chopped
1 clove garlic, roughly chopped
1 tsp finely grated fresh ginger
2 tbsp. freshly squeezed lime juice
1 tbsp fish sauce
1/2 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup peanut oil

Steps:

  • In a food processor or blender, combine all ingredients except peanut oil and process slowly pouring the peanut oil into the mix. Process until the ingredients turn into a smooth paste.

CHICKEN BREASTS WITH ASIAN GINGER-SCALLION PESTO



Chicken Breasts with Asian Ginger-Scallion Pesto image

Chicken breasts with an Asian ginger-scallion pesto.

Provided by JP4012K

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Asian

Time 50m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 5

½ cup softened duck fat
½ cup thinly sliced scallions
1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
1 pinch fine sea salt (such as Redmond Real Salt®), or to taste
4 skin-on, boneless chicken breasts

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  • Mix duck fat, scallions, ginger, and salt together in a bowl.
  • Place chicken in a baking dish. Add 1 tablespoon ginger pesto under the skin of each chicken breast; massage to spread evenly. Coat chicken with remaining pesto and season with additional salt.
  • Roast in the preheated oven until chicken breasts are no longer pink in the center and juices run clear, 30 to 35 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of a breast should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Let rest for 5 to 10 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 231.8 calories, Carbohydrate 1.2 g, Cholesterol 67 mg, Fat 15 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 21.1 g, SaturatedFat 4.3 g, Sodium 169.4 mg, Sugar 0.3 g

ASIAN PESTO



ASIAN PESTO image

Categories     Sauce     Herb

Yield 3-1/2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 13

Makes about 3 1⁄2 cups
Lasts 2 weeks, refrigerated
2 jalapeño chiles, stemmed and seeded
8 garlic cloves
1 tablespoon sugar
1 heaping tablespoon peeled and minced fresh ginger
1 cup roasted salted macadamia nuts or roasted salted peanuts
Zest of 2 lemons
2 cups extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
1 cup fresh mint leaves, packed
1⁄2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, packed
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Makes about 3 1⁄2 cups Lasts 2 weeks, refrigerated 2 jalapeño chiles, stemmed and seeded 8 garlic cloves 1 tablespoon sugar 1 heaping tablespoon peeled and minced fresh ginger 1 cup roasted salted macadamia nuts or roasted salted peanuts Zest of 2 lemons 2 cups extra-virgin olive oil 1 cup fresh basil leaves, packed 1 cup fresh mint leaves, packed 1⁄2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, packed Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste In a blender or food processor, combine the chiles, garlic, sugar, ginger, nuts, zest, and 1 cup of the oil and blend until smooth. Add the basil, mint, and cilantro and blend while slowly adding the remaining oil until a thick purée is formed. Season with salt and pepper. Store in a tightly covered jar and refrigerate

Tips:

  • Choose fresh, high-quality ingredients. The better the ingredients, the better the pesto will taste.
  • Use a variety of herbs. This will give the pesto a more complex flavor.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment. There are many different ways to make pesto, so feel free to adjust the ingredients to your liking.
  • Store pesto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze pesto for up to 3 months.
  • Use pesto as a sauce for pasta, pizza, or grilled vegetables. You can also add it to sandwiches, wraps, or salads.

Conclusion:

Asian pesto is a delicious and versatile condiment that can be used in a variety of dishes. It's a great way to add flavor and umami to your favorite foods. With its unique blend of herbs, nuts, and spices, Asian pesto is sure to become a new favorite in your kitchen. So next time you're looking for a new way to spice up your meals, give Asian pesto a try. You won't be disappointed.

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