Pesto Parmesan Pastry Straws - My Fussy Eater | Easy Family Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What cheese goes with pesto? ›

What Kind of Cheese Should I Use? I used fresh mozzarella because I love the way it melts, but you can use block or grated mozzarella in its place (that's usually more affordable as well). Other types of cheese that would work great with pesto are: smoked mozzarella, gruyere, swiss, brie, or white cheddar.

For umami: add miso

“I just find that sweet white miso is the best substitute for Parmesan.” Miso Master is her brand of choice because of its mild flavor and aerated texture, which keeps the sauce light and creamy. “You get a little sweetness and a ton of umami,” she says.

Tired of the same old pesto? We were – so we swapped out traditional pine nuts and parmesan to create this unique lactose free cheddar cheese and walnut pesto. Check out the list of 10 easy ways to use this pesto at the end of the recipe!

Pesto goes amazingly well with grilled steak, pork chops, chicken, and even fish, so you don't have to worry about spicing or marinating your meat. You can also season meatloaf or meatballs with pesto.

Pesto will last in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. If you've stored it in the freezer, it will last for 6 months. When you're ready to use frozen pesto, thaw it overnight in the fridge or place the container of pesto in a bowl of warm water for a quicker thawing time.

When to Use Shredded vs. Grated Cheese. If a recipe calls for shredded or grated cheese, you're fine using cheese that you grate yourself at home or store-bought shredded cheese. That is, unless the recipe specifies freshly grated, then you should grate the cheese yourself.

Ingredients. 1 cup finely shredded cheese (Parmesan, Romano, cheddar, mozzarella, etc.)

TRY WITH: Walnuts, almonds, macadamia nuts, pecans, pistachios, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, peanuts. Parmesan lends a distinctive savory funk to traditional basil pesto, but it isn't your only option—any hard, salty, aged cheese (Italian or not) will get you there.

Pecans. I am a big fan of toasted pecans in just about any dish, including pesto! Pecans have a rich, nutty flavor that will make your pesto well-rounded and delicious. You can often find pecan pieces at a cheaper price than pecan halves, which is perfect for pesto in which they will be blended.

Cashews. Cashews resemble pine nuts in color, texture and mild sweetness, and can be used as a substitute in just about any recipe. Stick to unsalted versions (roasted or raw varieties both work), and toast them to provide extra depth of flavor.

What pasta is best for pesto? ›

Pesto Sauce

This fresh and fragrant pasta sauce is served uncooked, so choose a pasta shape that won't overwhelm it. Similar to oil-based sauces, pesto is served best with longer cuts of pasta, like the corkscrew shape of Fusilli. Pesto works best with Bucatini, Capellini, thinner Spaghettini, and Fettuccine.

Add a Mediterranean spin to your morning mushrooms on toast with fresh green pesto, melted mozzarella and sundried tomatoes - perfect for a weekend brunch. A dollop of pesto would also be the perfect partner for smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, or could be mixed into a tasty green omelette.

A note about the pesto

We're using our favorite arugula pesto in this macaroni and cheese sauce: it gives our sauce a sharp, peppery bite that pairs perfectly with the creamy white cheddar.

Classic Italian Basil Pesto Pairs Well With:

Fresh Homemade Pasta. Fresh Homemade Gnocchi. Fresh Pappardelle Pasta with Classic Basil Pesto. Best Sourdough Pasta {1 Hour or Overnight}

Ingredients. 1 cup finely shredded cheese (Parmesan, Romano, cheddar, mozzarella, etc.)