Roasted Red Pepper Pesto

Invariably simple to produce and devastatingly delicious, pesto is almost certainly the last word in quick, easy and frugal meals. Of course, it has applications outside the world of fusilli (basil pesto is, for instance, a rather delicious addition to soup), but that’s where its heart shall forever rest. For example, take this roasted red pepper pesto – in order for one’s pasta to obtain a satisfactory demise, all one need do is roast some fruit along with a little garlic, blitz it up with a few added extras and yell “Bob’s my uncle” at the top of one’s lungs. You’ll be glad to hear that the last step is not, and hopefully never will be, obligatory.

The number of different types of pesto one could dream up could, quite possibly, stretch on into eternity. However, this recipe has become a stand-out favourite since, unlike this rocket pesto, it deviates firmly from the norm. Indeed, most pesto is decidedly green, though it can be made from pretty much every herb under the sun.

As you might imagine, the flavour attained by this recipe also differs from the norm somewhat – rather than being on the fragrant side, it is rich and almost caramel. Roasted garlic is, no doubt, responsible for the presence of that particular culinary facet – and a most welcome one it is too! Enjoy!

Roasted Red Pepper Pesto {recipe}

Serves 3-4

Ingredients:

• Two red peppers

• Two cloves of garlic

• 1 red chilli

• A few walnut halves

• Juice of half a lemon

• A small handful of parmesan cheese

• 3 tbsp olive oil

• Salt

Method:

1. Pop the peppers, garlic and chilli on a baking tray, drizzle with olive oil and bake in the oven at 150C for 30-40 minutes until slightly charred. Remove the skin and seeds from the peppers

2. Throw everything in a food processor and whiz until it has become a paste – you may need to add another tbsp of olive oil, just to loosen it up a bit.

Cost: If one is committed to being frugal it is possible to find peppers at an extremely reasonable price – two for 70p isn’t that much of a stretch. As such, this very flavourful pesto can be made for around £1.30 – a most tempting price!