Italian Beans with Pesto

Italian Beans with Pesto Recipe - Authentic Italian Flavors

Region / culture: Italy | Preparation time: 15 minutes | Cooking time: 10 minutes | Servings: 4

Introduction

Italian Beans with Pesto is a delicious and nutritious dish that combines fresh green beans with a flavorful homemade pesto sauce. This recipe is perfect for a light and healthy meal or as a side dish to accompany your favorite Italian dishes.

History

Italian Beans with Pesto is a traditional Italian dish that dates back centuries. Pesto, a sauce made from basil, garlic, nuts, olive oil, and cheese, has been a staple in Italian cuisine for generations. When combined with fresh green beans, the result is a vibrant and flavorful dish that is sure to please your taste buds.

Ingredients

2 lb (907 g) fresh green beans
0.25 tsp salt
1 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
2 tbsp pine nuts (pignoli nuts)
0.25 cup olive oil
1 large garlic clove, mashed
0.33 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
0.25 cup grated parmesan cheese

How to prepare

Parboil the beans and drain them well.
Prepare the pesto by placing oil, salt, garlic, basil, parsley, and nuts in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth.
Add the cheese and blend again. If needed, dilute the mixture with more oil and a little hot water.
Toss the beans with the pesto and serve at room temperature.

Variations

Substitute pine nuts or walnuts for the nuts in the pesto.
Add sun-dried tomatoes or roasted red peppers to the pesto for a different flavor profile.
Use a different type of cheese, such as pecorino or asiago, in place of the parmesan.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be sure to parboil the green beans before tossing them with the pesto. This will help to soften the beans slightly and make them easier to eat.

- When making the pesto, be sure to blend the ingredients until smooth. You can adjust the consistency by adding more oil or hot water as needed.

- For a more intense flavor, toast the nuts before adding them to the pesto mixture.

- Serve the Italian Beans with Pesto at room temperature to allow the flavors to fully develop.

Serving Suggestions

Italian Beans with Pesto can be served as a side dish alongside grilled chicken, fish, or pasta. It also makes a great addition to a salad or antipasto platter.

Cooking Techniques

Parboil the green beans to soften them before tossing them with the pesto.

- Blend the pesto ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth.

Ingredient Substitutions

Use frozen green beans if fresh are not available.

- Substitute other herbs, such as cilantro or mint, for the basil in the pesto.

Make Ahead Tips

Italian Beans with Pesto can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Serve at room temperature for best flavor.

Presentation Ideas

Serve Italian Beans with Pesto in a decorative serving dish garnished with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese.

Pairing Recommendations

Pair Italian Beans with Pesto with a crisp white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc, for a refreshing and delicious meal.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftovers of Italian Beans with Pesto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop before serving.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

180

Carbohydrates

- Total Carbohydrates: 12g

- Dietary Fiber: 4g

- Sugars: 4g

Fats

- Total Fat: 14g

- Saturated Fat: 3g

- Trans Fat: 0g

Proteins

- Protein: 5g

Vitamins and minerals

Vitamin A: 20% DV

- Vitamin C: 30% DV

- Calcium: 10% DV

- Iron: 15% DV

Alergens

Contains nuts and dairy (parmesan cheese)

Summary

Italian Beans with Pesto is a nutritious dish that is rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron. It is also a good source of fiber and protein.

Summary

Italian Beans with Pesto is a flavorful and nutritious dish that is perfect for a light and healthy meal. With fresh green beans tossed in a homemade pesto sauce, this dish is sure to become a favorite in your household. Enjoy!

How did I get this recipe?

I distinctly remember the first time I saw this recipe for Italian Beans with Pesto. It was a sunny afternoon in the summer of 1975, and I was visiting my dear friend Maria in her quaint little village in Italy. Maria was known throughout the village for her incredible cooking skills, and I had been begging her for weeks to teach me some of her secret recipes.

As we sat in her cozy kitchen, surrounded by the delicious aroma of simmering sauces and freshly baked bread, Maria pulled out a tattered old cookbook from her shelves. She flipped through the pages until she landed on a recipe that caught my eye - Italian Beans with Pesto. Maria smiled mischievously as she handed me the cookbook and said, "This is one of my favorite recipes, passed down through generations in my family. I think you'll love it."

Over the next few hours, Maria patiently guided me through the process of making the dish. We started by simmering fresh green beans in a pot of water until they were tender yet still crisp. Then, we made the pesto by blending together fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil until it formed a smooth, fragrant paste.

Once the beans were cooked and the pesto was ready, Maria showed me how to combine the two together in a large skillet, gently tossing them until the beans were coated in the vibrant green sauce. The aroma that filled the kitchen was intoxicating, and I couldn't wait to taste the finished dish.

As we sat down at Maria's dining table to enjoy our meal, I took my first bite of the Italian Beans with Pesto. The flavors exploded in my mouth - the freshness of the beans combined with the earthy richness of the pesto was a match made in culinary heaven. I couldn't believe how such simple ingredients could come together to create such a delicious and satisfying dish.

From that moment on, Italian Beans with Pesto became a staple in my own kitchen. I would make it for family gatherings, dinner parties, and even just for myself on lazy Sunday afternoons. Every time I prepared the dish, I would think back to that sunny afternoon in Maria's kitchen and the precious lesson she had taught me about the power of good food and good friends.

Over the years, I have made a few tweaks to the original recipe, adding a touch of lemon zest or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to give it my own personal flair. But the essence of the dish remains the same - a celebration of fresh, simple ingredients that come together to create something truly magical.

Now, as I pass down the recipe for Italian Beans with Pesto to my own grandchildren, I hope that they will cherish it as much as I have. I hope that they will remember the story of how I learned to make this dish in a tiny village in Italy, surrounded by love and laughter. And I hope that they will continue to share it with their own loved ones, creating new memories and traditions along the way.

For me, this recipe is more than just a dish - it is a reminder of the power of food to bring people together, to create lasting bonds, and to nourish both body and soul. And for that, I am forever grateful to my dear friend Maria and the timeless recipe she shared with me all those years ago. Grazie, Maria. Grazie.