Inside Nana's Kitchen
  • Home
  • Nana's Blog
    • About Nana
  • PHOTO BUFFET
  • Recipe Box
    • APPETIZERS
    • BEEF
    • BRUNCH >
      • APPLE CINNAMON & RAISIN PANCAKES
    • CHICKEN >
      • CHICKEN FLORENTINA
    • DESSERTS >
      • HALLOWEEN FUN
      • RED VELVET WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
    • EGGPLANT
    • HOLIDAYS
    • LAMB
    • PASTA
    • PIZZA
    • POWER FOODS
    • ROLL WITH IT, MEATBALLS AND MORE...
    • SALADS
    • SAUCES/GRAVIES
    • SEAFOOD
    • SIDES
    • SOUPS
    • VEAL/PORK
  • CHEF CIRCLE
    • VERY IMPORTANT CHEFS >
      • FALLON STEAK
      • POWER BROWNIE BITES
      • POWER OAT BARS
      • QUINOA STUFFED PEPPERS AND TOMATOES
    • JUNIOR CHEF'S CIRCLE >
      • BLUEBERRY AND APPLE TURNOVERS
  • Featured Recipes
    • APPETIZERS >
      • BUFFALO CHICKEN DIP
      • LOADED GARLIC CHICKEN WINGS
      • PINEAPPLE & MANGO SALSA SALSA
      • PULLED PORK STROMBOLI
      • ROMEO'S BALSAMIC CHICKEN MEATBALLS
      • SAUSAGE & CRESCENT ROLL UPS
      • STROMBOLI FUN
    • BASICS >
      • BREAD CRUMBS
      • GARLIC & PARMESAN CROUTONS
      • RICOTTA CHEESE
      • SICILIAN DIPPING OIL
      • ROASTED PEPPERS
    • DESSERTS >
      • APPLE CRUMB MUFFINS
      • APPLE FRITTERS
      • APPLES IN A BLANKET
      • BIRTHDAY CAKE OREO STUFFED BIRTHDAY CAKE CUPCAKES
      • COCONUT BANANA PROTEIN MUFFIN
      • ICE BOX CAKE
      • PUMPKIN PIE PROTEIN BALLS
      • PUMPKIN SPICE GRANOLA
    • ENTREES >
      • AMENESTE
      • ASIAN CHICKEN BITES
      • CHEESY STEAK SANDWICHES
      • CHICKEN PARM MOZZ STUFFED CRSUT PIZZA
      • CHICKEN POT PIE
      • CROCK POT CHILI
      • HONEY MUSTARD GLAZED SALMON
      • ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP
      • LENTIL & QUINOA SOUP
      • MALL CHICKEN
      • PEA SOUP
      • SHEPARDS POT PIE
      • SHRIMP FRANCESE
      • SIMPLY DELICIOUS SKIRT STEAK
      • THE CJ BURGER
      • TOMATO ORZO SOUP WITH GRILLED CHEESE CROUTONS
    • SAUCES AND GRAVIES >
      • BARBECUE SAUCE
      • CUCUMBER TZATZIKI SAUCE
      • COFFEE & COCOA DRY RUB
      • GIGI'S SUNDAY GRAVY
      • GINGER & SPICE DRY RUB
      • HONEY MUSTARD SAUCE
      • VODKA SAUCE
    • SALADS >
      • BERRY FUN SALAD
      • CRAB AVOCADO STACK
      • FALL MEDLEY CHICKEN SALAD
      • KALE & ADUKI BEAN SALAD
      • QUINOA & KALE SALAD
      • SWEET CHILI SHRIMP
      • TRIFLE BOWL COBB SALAD
    • SIDES >
      • CHILI PEPPER BRUSSEL SPROUTS
      • CREAMY CRAB STUFFED MUSHROOMS
      • OVER STUFFED POTATOES
  • HOLIDAY TIME
    • CHRISTMAS COOKIES
    • A CHRISTMAS EVE FEAST
    • Holiday Parties...Here We Go!!! >
      • CHICKEN VODKA PARM SLIDERS
      • LOBSTER AVOCADO CROSTINI
      • RICE BALLS-ARANCINI
      • RISOTTO PRIMAVERA BALLS
      • SHRIMP RISOTTO BALLS
      • SPINACH AND RICE BALLS
      • STEAK SLIDERS
      • TOMATO RICOTTA CROSTINI
    • IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME!!!!! >
      • BACCALA
      • BACON WRAPPED SCALLOPS AND SHRIMP
      • CHOCOLATE CHERRY & ALMOND BISCOTTI
      • CRAB LEGS & LOBSTER TAILS
      • CRANBERRY PISTACHIO BISCOTTI
      • CREAM PUFFS
      • DECADENT CHOCOLATE THUMBPRINTS
      • ITALIAN LEMON COOKIES
      • KORALAKIAI
      • LEMON/ORANGE CANDIES
      • MINI CRAB CAKES
      • MINI PECAN PIES
      • PEANUT BUTTER CUP HEAVEN
      • RAINBOW COOKIES
      • RASPBERRY WHITE CHOCOLATE ALMOND THUMBPRINTS
      • RICE PUDDING
      • SWEDISH GINGERBREAD
      • TIRAMISU
      • ZUPPA DI PESCE
    • LET'S GET READY FOR THANKSGIVING >
      • AMAZING APPLE PIE
      • BANANA BREAD
      • BROCCOLI & CANNELLINI BEANS
      • BRUSSEL SPROUTS WITH PANCETTA AND PINE NUTS
      • BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP
      • CANDIED YAMS
      • TORTELLINI CHICKEN SOUP
      • CHOCK FULL OF CORN BREAD
      • CLASSIC ITALIAN SAUSAGE STUFFING
      • GINGER AND SPICE BUTTER
      • GRANDMA'S MASHED POTATOES
      • HERB & GARLIC BUTTER
      • HONEY WHISKEY GLAZED CARROTS
      • MASHED SWEET POTATOES WITH A PECAN CRUMBLE
      • MUSHROOM & BACON STUFFING
      • PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE WITH A CHOCOLATE GANACHE
      • PUMPKIN ICE BOX CAKE
      • PUMPKIN MUFFINS
      • PUMPKIN & SPICE COFFEE CAKE
      • SIMPLE CRANBERRY SAUCE
      • STRING BEANS ALMONDINE
      • STUFFED CAULIFLOWER
      • STUFFED TURKEY BREAST
      • STUFFED MUSHROOMS
      • THANKSGIVING...4 DAYS TO GO
      • THANKSGIVING....3 DAYS TO GO
      • THANKSGIVING...2 DAYS TO GO
      • THANKSGIVING...1 DAY TO GO
      • THANKSGIVING SHEPARDS PIE
      • THANKSGIVING SLIDERS
      • THE THANKSGIVING WRAP
      • TURKEY TIME
      • TWICE BAKED POTATOES
  • In the News

SUN DRIED TOMATO PESTO

If your looking to keep calories down and still feel like your eating a gourmet meal, you have to start making pesto.  PESTO, PESTO, PESTO!!!!  It is the best way to kick up any boring piece of chicken, fish, beef or pasta. This one is easy.....you have to try it. It takes 10 minutes to make and you will be so excited to eat that same piece of grilled chicken or piece of fish without any guilt. To me, that is the whole key to being successful when we are watching our weight. It can't be boring. If it's boring, I'm out on day one, but if it's flavorful and delicious...I'm in!! The best part... there's no cooking involved. It's all done in a food processor, doesn't get any easier than that.

SUN DRIED TOMATO PESTO

2  CUPS SUN DRIED TOMATOES
1/2  CUP PINE NUTS
1/2  CUP FRESH PARSLEY
1/2  CUP GRATED PECORINO ROMANO CHEESE
4  CLOVES OF GARLIC
1/2  CUP RED WINE VINEGAR
OLIVE OIL (APPROX. 1 CUP)
SALT & PEPPER

Soooooo easy!!! Grab your food processor. Put the Sun Dried tomatoes in and give in a few pulses to start breaking them down.
Picture
Picture

Next, add in the pine nuts, garlic, parsley and season well with salt & pepper.
Picture
Picture
Picture

Add in the cheese and vinegar. Then while the processor is running slowly add in the olive oil. Here's where you can decide exactly how much you would like to put in. I probably use about 1 cup. But depending on the consistency you like, it could be more or less.....it's all up to you.
Picture
Picture
Picture

​There you go....gorgeous and delicious!!! And a powerhouse of flavors!!!

Picture
Picture

Pesto is something you can use in a crazy number of different ways. As I make them, I will share them with you. Keep checking my Recipe Box for more great recipe ideas for this pesto.  I will tell you that one of my favorite ways to use this pesto is to scoop a couple of tablespoons into a small bowl, add about 1/2 cup of olive oil and stir... what a great dipping oil you will have for a nice crusty loaf of bread. (we can't always be counting calories!)  ENJOY!!!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • Nana's Blog
    • About Nana
  • PHOTO BUFFET
  • Recipe Box
    • APPETIZERS
    • BEEF
    • BRUNCH >
      • APPLE CINNAMON & RAISIN PANCAKES
    • CHICKEN >
      • CHICKEN FLORENTINA
    • DESSERTS >
      • HALLOWEEN FUN
      • RED VELVET WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
    • EGGPLANT
    • HOLIDAYS
    • LAMB
    • PASTA
    • PIZZA
    • POWER FOODS
    • ROLL WITH IT, MEATBALLS AND MORE...
    • SALADS
    • SAUCES/GRAVIES
    • SEAFOOD
    • SIDES
    • SOUPS
    • VEAL/PORK
  • CHEF CIRCLE
    • VERY IMPORTANT CHEFS >
      • FALLON STEAK
      • POWER BROWNIE BITES
      • POWER OAT BARS
      • QUINOA STUFFED PEPPERS AND TOMATOES
    • JUNIOR CHEF'S CIRCLE >
      • BLUEBERRY AND APPLE TURNOVERS
  • Featured Recipes
    • APPETIZERS >
      • BUFFALO CHICKEN DIP
      • LOADED GARLIC CHICKEN WINGS
      • PINEAPPLE & MANGO SALSA SALSA
      • PULLED PORK STROMBOLI
      • ROMEO'S BALSAMIC CHICKEN MEATBALLS
      • SAUSAGE & CRESCENT ROLL UPS
      • STROMBOLI FUN
    • BASICS >
      • BREAD CRUMBS
      • GARLIC & PARMESAN CROUTONS
      • RICOTTA CHEESE
      • SICILIAN DIPPING OIL
      • ROASTED PEPPERS
    • DESSERTS >
      • APPLE CRUMB MUFFINS
      • APPLE FRITTERS
      • APPLES IN A BLANKET
      • BIRTHDAY CAKE OREO STUFFED BIRTHDAY CAKE CUPCAKES
      • COCONUT BANANA PROTEIN MUFFIN
      • ICE BOX CAKE
      • PUMPKIN PIE PROTEIN BALLS
      • PUMPKIN SPICE GRANOLA
    • ENTREES >
      • AMENESTE
      • ASIAN CHICKEN BITES
      • CHEESY STEAK SANDWICHES
      • CHICKEN PARM MOZZ STUFFED CRSUT PIZZA
      • CHICKEN POT PIE
      • CROCK POT CHILI
      • HONEY MUSTARD GLAZED SALMON
      • ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP
      • LENTIL & QUINOA SOUP
      • MALL CHICKEN
      • PEA SOUP
      • SHEPARDS POT PIE
      • SHRIMP FRANCESE
      • SIMPLY DELICIOUS SKIRT STEAK
      • THE CJ BURGER
      • TOMATO ORZO SOUP WITH GRILLED CHEESE CROUTONS
    • SAUCES AND GRAVIES >
      • BARBECUE SAUCE
      • CUCUMBER TZATZIKI SAUCE
      • COFFEE & COCOA DRY RUB
      • GIGI'S SUNDAY GRAVY
      • GINGER & SPICE DRY RUB
      • HONEY MUSTARD SAUCE
      • VODKA SAUCE
    • SALADS >
      • BERRY FUN SALAD
      • CRAB AVOCADO STACK
      • FALL MEDLEY CHICKEN SALAD
      • KALE & ADUKI BEAN SALAD
      • QUINOA & KALE SALAD
      • SWEET CHILI SHRIMP
      • TRIFLE BOWL COBB SALAD
    • SIDES >
      • CHILI PEPPER BRUSSEL SPROUTS
      • CREAMY CRAB STUFFED MUSHROOMS
      • OVER STUFFED POTATOES
  • HOLIDAY TIME
    • CHRISTMAS COOKIES
    • A CHRISTMAS EVE FEAST
    • Holiday Parties...Here We Go!!! >
      • CHICKEN VODKA PARM SLIDERS
      • LOBSTER AVOCADO CROSTINI
      • RICE BALLS-ARANCINI
      • RISOTTO PRIMAVERA BALLS
      • SHRIMP RISOTTO BALLS
      • SPINACH AND RICE BALLS
      • STEAK SLIDERS
      • TOMATO RICOTTA CROSTINI
    • IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME!!!!! >
      • BACCALA
      • BACON WRAPPED SCALLOPS AND SHRIMP
      • CHOCOLATE CHERRY & ALMOND BISCOTTI
      • CRAB LEGS & LOBSTER TAILS
      • CRANBERRY PISTACHIO BISCOTTI
      • CREAM PUFFS
      • DECADENT CHOCOLATE THUMBPRINTS
      • ITALIAN LEMON COOKIES
      • KORALAKIAI
      • LEMON/ORANGE CANDIES
      • MINI CRAB CAKES
      • MINI PECAN PIES
      • PEANUT BUTTER CUP HEAVEN
      • RAINBOW COOKIES
      • RASPBERRY WHITE CHOCOLATE ALMOND THUMBPRINTS
      • RICE PUDDING
      • SWEDISH GINGERBREAD
      • TIRAMISU
      • ZUPPA DI PESCE
    • LET'S GET READY FOR THANKSGIVING >
      • AMAZING APPLE PIE
      • BANANA BREAD
      • BROCCOLI & CANNELLINI BEANS
      • BRUSSEL SPROUTS WITH PANCETTA AND PINE NUTS
      • BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP
      • CANDIED YAMS
      • TORTELLINI CHICKEN SOUP
      • CHOCK FULL OF CORN BREAD
      • CLASSIC ITALIAN SAUSAGE STUFFING
      • GINGER AND SPICE BUTTER
      • GRANDMA'S MASHED POTATOES
      • HERB & GARLIC BUTTER
      • HONEY WHISKEY GLAZED CARROTS
      • MASHED SWEET POTATOES WITH A PECAN CRUMBLE
      • MUSHROOM & BACON STUFFING
      • PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE WITH A CHOCOLATE GANACHE
      • PUMPKIN ICE BOX CAKE
      • PUMPKIN MUFFINS
      • PUMPKIN & SPICE COFFEE CAKE
      • SIMPLE CRANBERRY SAUCE
      • STRING BEANS ALMONDINE
      • STUFFED CAULIFLOWER
      • STUFFED TURKEY BREAST
      • STUFFED MUSHROOMS
      • THANKSGIVING...4 DAYS TO GO
      • THANKSGIVING....3 DAYS TO GO
      • THANKSGIVING...2 DAYS TO GO
      • THANKSGIVING...1 DAY TO GO
      • THANKSGIVING SHEPARDS PIE
      • THANKSGIVING SLIDERS
      • THE THANKSGIVING WRAP
      • TURKEY TIME
      • TWICE BAKED POTATOES
  • In the News