Randy Chandler
Pesto is a versatile condiment that can be used in a variety of dishes, from pasta to sandwiches. While traditional pesto is made with basil, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese, many people experiment with different ingredients, such as walnuts and cheddar cheese. This combination of cheddar and pesto is a popular topic, with many recipes and variations available online. The versatility of pesto allows for a range of cheeses to be paired with it, and cheddar is just one of the many options that people can choose from to suit their taste preferences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pesto | Can be made with cheddar cheese |
| Can be made with other cheeses, including Parmesan, Romano, or any dry, hard cheese | |
| Can be made with other nuts besides pine nuts, such as walnuts | |
| Cheddar Cheese | Can be used in pesto |
| Can be used in grilled cheese sandwiches with pesto | |
| Can be used in pasta dishes with pesto | |
| Can be used in toasties with pesto |
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What You'll Learn
Cheddar pesto recipes
Cheddar pesto is a unique twist on the traditional pesto recipe, which typically uses pine nuts and Parmesan. This alternative pesto is made with everyday ingredients and is perfect for those looking for a more frugal option without compromising on flavour.
Basil and Walnut Pesto with Cheddar
This recipe is simple and quick to make, and can be used in a variety of ways. The key ingredients are:
- Fresh basil
- Sharp mature cheddar
- Garlic
- Walnuts
- Lemon
- Extra virgin olive oil
To make the pesto, you can use a pestle and mortar or a food processor/blender. If using a pestle and mortar, it is recommended to chop the ingredients finely first. Combine all the ingredients, except for the olive oil, and crush or blitz until you reach your desired consistency. Then, mix in the olive oil at the end.
Pesto Toastie
Spread the pesto on slices of bread, top with cheese, and make delicious toasties. You can also add ground almonds, walnuts, or breadcrumbs to the pesto before spreading it on the bread.
Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich
This recipe is perfect for those who love pesto and want a quick, easy, and inexpensive meal.
- Place sliced cheese directly on top of the pesto.
- Add any other desired fillings on top of the cheese.
- Place shredded cheese inside the other slice of bread.
- Carefully close the sandwich.
- Spread butter on each side of the bread.
- Place a little cheddar cheese into a skillet or griddle and put the sandwich on top.
- Grill each side for 3-5 minutes, checking periodically to avoid burning.
- Flip and cook the other side until the cheese is melted.
Other Uses
Cheddar pesto is extremely versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas:
- Pesto pasta: Mix the pesto with pasta and lots of vegetables for a quick and tasty meal.
- Drizzle over fish or poultry dishes: Thin the pesto with a little oil and drizzle it over your protein of choice.
- Pizza topping: Spread the pesto on a pizza base and top with your favourite ingredients.
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Pesto grilled cheese sandwiches
Ingredients
- Bread
- Butter
- Pesto
- Cheese (cheddar, provolone, mozzarella, gouda, parmesan, gruyere, gouda, or American cheese)
- Optional: Sun-dried tomatoes, bacon, and other vegetables
Method
- Spread butter on one side of a slice of bread and place it, buttered side down, into a skillet over medium heat.
- Spread pesto on the unbuttered side of the bread.
- Stack your choice of cheese and other optional ingredients on top of the pesto.
- Place another slice of bread on top, with the unbuttered side facing inwards.
- Spread butter on the top slice of bread.
- Grill the sandwich on each side for 3-5 minutes on medium heat or until golden brown and the cheese has melted.
Tips
- If you want to make your own pesto, you can use a food processor or blender to mix basil, parmesan cheese, olive oil, pine nuts or walnuts, garlic, and salt and pepper.
- If your pesto is particularly oily, you can gently run it through a sieve to prevent the sandwich from becoming greasy.
- If you are using fresh mozzarella or sun-dried tomatoes, pat them dry to prevent them from making the sandwich soggy.
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Pesto and pasta
To make pesto pasta, cook your pasta according to the package instructions in a pot of salted boiling water. Before draining the pasta, remember to reserve some of the starchy pasta water. This water will be used to thin out the pesto and create a glossy sauce that coats the pasta evenly. The pasta water emulsifies with the oil in the pesto, creating a light sauce that clings to the pasta. This technique is used in Italian households and restaurants worldwide.
You can use any type of pesto you like, but a nice sprinkle of Parmesan on top is highly recommended. You can also add ingredients such as halved cherry tomatoes, spinach, arugula, or other soft greens. Squeeze some lemon and add salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste.
If you want to make your own pesto, you can use a food processor or blender for a smooth consistency. Alternatively, use a pestle and mortar for a more rustic texture. Common ingredients include basil, lemon zest, walnuts, garlic, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and olive oil. You can also add grated cheddar cheese to your pesto, as cheddar pairs well with pesto.
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Other cheeses that go with pesto
While cheddar cheese is a popular choice to pair with pesto, there are several other cheeses that can be used as well. For instance, a combination of Pecorino and Parmesan is a typical choice for pesto. If you particularly enjoy Pecorino, you can add more of it to your pesto. Parmigiana Reggiano can also provide a nice accent to your pesto. If you're unable to get your hands on Pecorino Romano, you can use Parmigiano instead.
For those who want to experiment with different cheeses, you can try grated parmesan-like cheeses such as caccio cavallo, mozzarella (not buffalo mozzarella), or other hard cheeses. However, it's important to note that burrata is not a hard cheese, despite what some sources might suggest.
When making a pesto sandwich, you can use provolone cheese, American cheese, or gouda. If you're looking for a mild to medium-flavored cheese to complement the strong flavor of basil pesto, you can opt for gruyere or white cheddar.
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Making and storing pesto
Making pesto is a quick and easy process. The traditional ingredients are fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, extra-virgin olive oil, and Parmesan cheese. However, you can also experiment with different herbs, nuts, and cheese, such as cheddar or walnuts.
To make pesto, start by chopping your basil, lemon zest, walnuts, and garlic as finely as you can. You can also add salt, pepper, and lemon juice to taste. If you're using a food processor, put all the ingredients, except for the olive oil, into the processor and blitz until you reach your desired consistency. Then, with the motor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil and pulse until combined. Finally, add the grated cheese and pulse briefly until combined. For a smoother pesto, add more olive oil.
If you prefer a more rustic texture, you can use a pestle and mortar. Put all the ingredients, except for the grated cheese and olive oil, into the pestle and mortar and crush until you reach your desired consistency. Then, mix in the cheese and olive oil at the end.
Pesto can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. To prevent the surface from turning brown, cover the pesto with a thin layer of plastic wrap or an extra drizzle of oil before sealing the container. You can also freeze pesto for long-term storage. One method is to portion the pesto into an ice cube tray, cover it with plastic wrap, and then pop out a cube or two as needed. Another method is to process and freeze just the basil and olive oil mixture, and add the remaining ingredients fresh when serving. This way, your pesto will taste as good as new, even after years of storage!
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can use cheddar cheese in pesto. You can use any dry, hard cheese in pesto, including Parmesan, Romano, and cheddar.
You can make a pesto grilled cheese sandwich, or a pesto pasta with cheddar cheese.
First, spread pesto on a slice of bread, then top with cheddar cheese. Add any other toppings you like, then place another slice of bread on top. Spread butter on the outside of the sandwich, then grill for 3-5 minutes on each side.
You can make pesto by hand, using a mortar and pestle, or with a food processor or blender. If using a food processor, add all the ingredients except olive oil, then blitz until you reach your desired consistency. Finally, mix in the olive oil. If using a mortar and pestle, chop your ingredients finely, then crush them until you reach your desired consistency. Finally, mix in the olive oil.
Mild to medium-flavored cheeses go well with pesto, as it has a very strong flavor. Some examples include ricotta, goat cheese, mozzarella, fontina, gouda, and provolone.
