How to Make Battuto and Pesto

Recipes

 

Get Your Foodie on with These Easy-to-Make and Versatile-to-Use Italian Condiments.

One of our favorite uses of our olive oils is to make super simple sauces and condiments.  Two that we particularly like are the Italian condiments Battuto and Pesto.  Both don’t require you to be an expert cook, neither uses exact measurements (make to taste) and both give your dishes that “something-something” that makes you look like a pro!

 

Simple ingredients for Battuto

Simple ingredients for Battuto

Battuto- “Roba Buona” (“Good Stuff”)

Battuto is popular in Italian cuisine, is extremely versatile and super easy to make at home.  The most common form of Battuto uses a trinity of vegetables, herbs and olive oil.  The mixture is often used to flavor a variety of Italian dishes including soups, stews and sauces such as marinara and Bolognese.

One of our cooking class chefs, Melissa Pelkey-Hass gave us the 4-11 on basic Battuto.  You will need diced onions, carrots and celery, fresh basil and parsley, and salt and pepper. There are no measurements, but a good rule of thumb is to use twice the amount of onions as the other vegetables.

Heat olive oil in a heavy bottomed pan.  We suggest a single varietal and mild flavored olive oil.  Our oils arrive freshly harvested, and we are happy to help you find the perfect one for your dish.  For added flavor, try using an infused olive oil such as Leaning Ladder’s Tuscan Herb, Basil, Garlic or Herbs de Provence.   Once the oil has heated up, add carrots, celery and onion and cook them to your preference. Add basil, parsley, fresh cracked pepper and salt (all to taste).  The Battuto can be used immediately or stored in the refrigerator.

Try customizing this Battuto with pancetta, garlic, red pepper flakes, anchovies, etc.  Make it yours and enjoy the  compliments!

Perfect Pesto

Pesto Ingredients

Pesto Ingredients

Do you still have basil from your garden?  Before it freezes, make a batch of Perfect Pesto!  You will need five ingredients:  basil, premium extra virgin olive oil, fresh garlic, pine nuts or walnuts (toast for extra flavor), Parmesan cheese (we recommend Parmigiano-Reggiano).  Take a good amount of basil and blend in either a food processor or blender.  Slowly add in your olive oil, while still mixing until it reaches your desired consistency.  Finish with a good amount of cheese and salt to taste.  For a citrus twist, substitute the single varietal olive oil for Leaning Ladder Lemon Infused Olive Oil.

 

Mangiare Bene!  (Eat Well!)

Your friends,

Susan and Bridget

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