Spring Pesto Dip Food

CREAMY PESTO DIP

Steps:

• Stir together all ingredients except raw vegetbles.
• Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours but no longer than 48 hours. Serve with raw vegetables.

SHRIMP PESTO SPRING ROLLS WITH QUICK PESTO DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• For the quick pesto dipping sauce: Add the basil, Parmesan, pine nuts, red pepper flakes and garlic to the base of a small food processor. With the processor running, drizzle in the oil and lemon juice and allow the mixture to become smooth. Scrape the sides, then add the mayonnaise, sour cream and salt and process until combined, about 1 minute.
• For the simple lemon dressing: Add the olive oil, lemon juice, sugar, garlic, salt and pepper to a small mason jar. Secure the lid and shake to combine,
• For the assembly: Add the shrimp to a small bowl and toss in 2 tablespoons of the lemon dressing. Set aside.
• Add the shredded romaine to a bowl and toss with the remaining lemon dressing. Set aside.
• One at a time, place the rice wrappers in warm water until they are soft but still hold together, about 30 seconds. Lay the wrapper flat on a plate and start by shingling 4 shrimp halves and 2 basil leaves in the center of the wrapper. Add one-quarter of the roasted peppers, onions and tomatoes. Drizzle with 2 teaspoons of the pesto dipping sauce. Finally, top with a one-quarter of the lettuce in a small line. Fold in the sides of the wrapper and roll into a tight roll. Cut in half on the diagonal. Repeat to make the other 3 rolls.
• Dip the rolls into the pesto dipping sauce and dig in! Best if eaten within 1 hour of making.

GREEN GARLIC PESTO

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Trim and discard the root ends of the green garlic.
• Finely chop the green garlic, rinse it thoroughly under cool running water in a colander, and pat or spin it dry (I find chopping and then cleaning gets all the dirt out of the picture; if it's been a rainy spring, the dirt has a way of getting splattered in between the layers of the green garlic leaves).
• In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, cook the vegetable oil, green garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt until the green garlic is soft, about 3 minutes. Let it cool to warm room temperature.
• In a blender or food processor, pulse the pine nuts to chop. Set them aside in a bowl.
• Put the cooked green garlic in and pulse it, scraping down the sides as necessary, until it is bright green and smooth.
• With the motor running, drizzle in the olive oil.
• Pulse in the reserved nuts and cheese. Taste the mixture and add more salt, if you like.
• Use with your favorite type of pasta and enjoy.

SOUR CREAM-PARMESAN CHEESE PESTO DIP

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the sour cream, basil pesto, and grated Parmesan cheese, and mix well to blend.
• Chill or serve immediately.
• Serve with crudités and chips for dipping or as a sandwich spread.

YOGURT PESTO DIP

Steps:

• Add the yogurt and pesto to a medium bowl and stir until fully combined. Add salt and pepper to taste.

TOMATO AND PESTO LAYERED DIP

Steps:

• Spray a 9-inch spring-form pan with cooking spray. Line with plastic wrap for easy removal. In a blender or food processor, combine the butter, feta cheese, cream cheese, garlic, shallot, vermouth, vodka and white pepper. Process until smooth. Layer the dip into pan as follows: Sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, pesto, cheese mixture. Repeat. Pat down into pan and refrigerate for at least one hour. Turn the dip out onto a serving plate, and remove plastic wrap. Serve with Melba toast or toasted baguette slices.

CREAMY PESTO WITH PROSCIUTTO DIPPERS

Steps:

• Mix the soft cheese with 2 tbsp basil pesto. Take the pack grissini (bread sticks) and halve each one. Cut the prosciutto into strips and wrap around the end of each grissini. Serve alongside the pesto dip. Scatter the pine nuts over dip and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil before serving.

SPRING PESTO DIP

Steps:

• Combine sour cream, mayonnaise, and pesto in a small bowl; season with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. Serve with blanched green beans, sugar snap peas, and other crisp crudites, such as thinly sliced raw fennel, cucumbers, and radishes. Dip can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 3 days.