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  • Celery Pesto Recipe | Once Upon a Pesto

    Celery Pesto Recipe INSPIRED BY KOREA SA DF Celery has been cultivated since ancient times. The oldest cultivated form of celery is leaf celery, which traces its roots to East Asia. Common uses of celery in the East Asian region of Korea include salads and kimchi , a popular fermented ethnic food. Celery gained popularity in the late 19th century when methods for growing the vegetable improved. At the same time, celery became available at moderate prices. SAVE FOR LATER Makes 1 1/4 cups Ingredients 1/2 cup shelled peanuts 2 cups chopped celery (or 3 stalks) 1/4 cup chopped scallion (or 1 stalk) 2 garlic cloves, peeled 1 hard-boiled egg, peeled 1 tablespoon sesame oil Directions Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor. Blend until the desired consistency forms. If using a mortar and pestle, crush the peanuts until a fine crumb forms. Add the celery, scallion, and garlic, and mash until smooth. Mix in the remaining ingredients. Mash until the desired consistency forms. Store pesto in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to one week. Use throughout the week in the next two recipes. Pesto can last in an airtight container in the freezer for up to six months. Uses Korean Egg Roll Egg rolls in Korean cuisine are much different from Chinese egg rolls. The Korean egg roll is literally egg cooked in a thin layer, like a crêpe, and then rolled. It’s also similar to an omelet in that it’s flavored with various mix-ins. Millet Burgers In Korea, millet has been an important ancient grain since about 3500 B.C. While rice is Korea’s most common grain, many Korean rice dishes mix in millet. Millet is also eaten as a breakfast porridge.

  • Okra Pesto Recipe | Once Upon a Pesto

    Okra Pesto Recipe INSPIRED BY ETHIOPIA SA DF NF Okra, also known as lady fingers, is a pod-producing plant that originated in what is today Ethiopia. While it is seen as a vegetable, its seeds are often toasted, ground, and then used as a coffee substitute. Another use of okra stems from its sticky juice, which is used to thicken stews. As a member of the cotton and hollyhock family, okra provides another practical use. Old okra can be processed to make paper. SAVE FOR LATER Makes 1 1/2 cups Ingredients 2 cups chopped frozen okra, thawed and pat dry 2 garlic cloves, peeled 1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger 1 Roma tomato, stem removed 2 tablespoons cornmeal 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric 1/4 teaspoon chopped dried chili pepper, or crushed red pepper flakes Directions Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor. Blend until the desired consistency forms. If using a mortar and pestle, mash the okra, garlic, ginger, and tomato until fairly smooth. Mix in the remaining ingredients. Mash until the desired consistency forms. Store pesto in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to one week. Use throughout the week in the next two recipes. Pesto can last in an airtight container in the freezer for up to six months. Uses Stovetop Popcorn One of the most recognizable parts of Ethiopian culture is the coffee ceremony called buna tetu . An invitation to a coffee ceremony is viewed as a sign of friendship and respect. Once the coffee has been made, it’s served with a snack such as popcorn. Spiced Lentils In Ethiopia, wat is a spiced dish similar to a stew or curry. It can be made with legumes, such as lentils, or with meat, fish, or vegetables. The recipes for wat vary far and wide from village to village and home to home.

  • Green Bean Pesto Recipe | Once Upon a Pesto

    Green Bean Pesto Recipe INSPIRED BY NEW YORK SA A native of New York, Calvin Keeney earned the title Father of the Stringless Bean during the mid-19th century when he developed a bean that was less tough and fibrous. He tended over 6,000 acres of peas and beans, and also developed 19 different types of snap beans. Calvin Keeney’s accomplishments in the bean world climaxed when Burpee Seeds commercially released a stringless green pod in 1894. SAVE FOR LATER Makes 1 3/4 cups Ingredients 1/2 cup shelled almonds 2 cups fresh green beans cut into 1-inch pieces 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese 2 garlic cloves, peeled 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 3 tablespoons sesame oil 2 tablespoons water 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper Directions Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor. Blend until the desired consistency forms. If using a mortar and pestle, crush the almonds until a crumb forms. Add the green beans, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, and garlic, and mash until smooth. Mix in the remaining ingredients. Mash until the desired consistency forms. Store pesto in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to one week. Use throughout the week in the next two recipes. Pesto can last in an airtight container in the freezer for up to six months. Uses Reuben Pizza New York pizza is known for its crust. And the Reuben sandwich is a staple in New York delis. But unknown is how this sandwich got its name. It could have been New York restaurant owner and German immigrant Arnold Reuben. Or it could have been Reuben Kulakofsky in Omaha, Nebraska. Chef Salad The chef who invented the Chef Salad is debatable. Some say it was Chef Diat. Others say Chef Seydoux or Chef Roser. But all three chefs worked in New York hotels during the 20th century, making the salad's geographic origin pretty clear.

  • Cherry Pesto Recipe | Once Upon a Pesto

    Cherry Pesto Recipe INSPIRED BY RUSSIA SW During the 13th century, cherries arrived in Vladimir, a town just over 100 miles from Moscow, Russia. The stone fruit was crossbred with the ground cherry, producing a sweet-sour variation that was then named Vladimir cherry. Vladimir cherries still grow in Russia today. There were five original varieties of Vladimir cherries, and four of those are still cultivated today. Every year, Russians celebrate the Savior of the Cherry Feast Day with games involving everything cherry—cherry-eating contests, shooting with cherry stones, and more. SAVE FOR LATER Makes 1 1/2 cups Ingredients 1/4 cup shelled almonds 2 cups sweet cherries, halved and pitted 1/2 cup cubed Brie cheese 1/4 cup sweetened coconut flakes Directions Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor. Blend until the desired consistency forms. If using a mortar and pestle, crush the almonds until a fine crumb forms. Add the cherries and mash until smooth. Mix in the Brie cheese and coconut. Mash until the desired consistency forms. Store pesto in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to one week. Use throughout the week in the next two recipes. Pesto can last in an airtight container in the freezer for up to six months. Uses Oatmeal Bars From a very young age, Russians often eat different types of porridge for breakfast. They call it kasha . It’s a hot cereal made with grains such as oatmeal, wheat, millet, as well as either water or milk. In addition to its place on the breakfast menu, kasha is also eaten with cabbage soup or other main dishes. Marshmallows Similar to marshmallows, a common confectionery made in Russia is called zefir . It got its name from the Greek god of the light west wind Zephyr. The light and airy consistency of this sweet is made by whipping fruit and berry purée with suga, egg whites, and pectin or gelatine.

  • Nut-Free Pesto Recipes | Once Upon a Pesto

    Nut-free pesto recipes are created for people with nut allergies. These pesto options feature seeds or other ingredients. Nut-Free Pesto Recipes Banana Pesto View More Broccoli Pesto View More Carrot Pesto View More Corn Pesto View More DF NF SW NF SA NF SA NF SA Daikon Pesto View More Mushroom & Chia Pesto View More Okra Pesto View More Olive Pesto View More DF NF SA SA NF DF NF SA NF SA Red Cabbage Pesto View More Rutabaga Pesto View More Spinach Pesto View More DF NF SA DF NF SA NF SA

  • Daikon Pesto Recipe | Once Upon a Pesto

    Daikon Pesto Recipe INSPIRED BY JAPAN SA DF NF Daikon is also known as Japanese radish or true daikon. It’s a white radish, and its name literally means great root in Japanese. People in Japan find many culinary uses for the root vegetable—from pickling, simmering, or drying daikon to grating it into a soy sauce. Grated daikon is another common way people in Japan eat this root vegetable. It usually accompanies fish dishes, and it’s also used as a condiment to enhance the flavor of dishes like udon and soba noodles. SAVE FOR LATER Makes 1 1/2 cups Ingredients 2 cups cubed daikon radish 2 scallions, chopped 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 2 tablespoons honey 2 tablespoons soy sauce Directions Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor. Blend until the desired consistency forms. If using a mortar and pestle, mash the daikon, scallions, and dill until smooth. Mix in the remaining ingredients. Mash until the desired consistency forms. Store pesto in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to one week. Use throughout the week in the next two recipes. Pesto can last in an airtight container in the freezer for up to six months. Uses Sushi Stack Alongside the cultivation of rice 2,000 years ago, the Japanese were crafting sushi . The first version developed as a means to preserve fish using fermented rice. Centuries later, people started to eat fish and rice together. Edamame The first documented reference to edamame was made in the 13th century. And it can be found in a Japanese monk’s thank you note written to his parishioner, who gave the monk a gift of these pod-enclosed soybeans. Today in Japan, edamame is a popular snack.

  • Recipes | Once Upon a Pesto

    Pesto recipes are the best way to add flavor, try new ingredients, and learn about cultures from around the world. Pesto Recipes View all Explore dozens of different pesto recipes all at once. View More Dairy-free No cheese or other dairy products in these pesto recipes. View More Nut-free These pesto recipes are perfect for those with nut allergies. View More Savory Savory pesto recipes make great additions to any meal or snack. View More Sweet Find your favorite fruit in these sweeter pesto recipes. View More DF NF SW SA

  • Lemongrass Pesto Recipe | Once Upon a Pesto

    Lemongrass Pesto Recipe INSPIRED BY MALAYSIA SA DF Lemongrass is a common ingredient in Malaysia. As its name suggests, the grass-like herb has the flavor and aroma of lemon. The tender, white part closest to the stem is often thinly sliced and eaten raw with salads or cooked in simmered dishes. But along with ginger, lemongrass has also been considered medicinal in Asian cultures. In the world of medicine, lemongrass is used to treat digestive issues, high blood pressure, the common cold, aches, and exhaustion. Please consult your physician before using lemongrass in these ways. SAVE FOR LATER Makes 1 1/4 cups Ingredients 1/4 cup shelled unsalted peanuts 2 small peaches, pitted and sliced 1 tablespoon chopped ginger 1 tablespoon chopped lemongrass 2 tablespoons olive oil Directions Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor. Blend until the desired consistency forms. If using a mortar and pestle, crush the peanuts until a fine crumb forms. Add the peaches and ginger, and mash until smooth. Mix in the lemongrass and olive oil. Mash until the desired consistency forms. Store pesto in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to one week. Use throughout the week in the next two recipes. Pesto can last in an airtight container in the freezer for up to six months. Uses Kuih Puffs Kuih , or kuih-muih in plural, is bite-sized food in Malaysia. The word, which is pronounced kway, encompasses cakes, confections, and more. Most kuih-muih are sweet and eaten as dessert, but some are savory. Shrimp Satay Satay , or sate in Malay, is most akin to the kebab. It’s made with meat threaded onto a wooden skewer that’s then grilled over a fire and served with a peanut sauce in Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia. Both Malaysia and Thailand claim this dish as their own.

  • Pickle Pesto Recipe | Once Upon a Pesto

    Pickle Pesto Recipe INSPIRED BY FIJI SA DF In Fiji, pickling is a valuable process when it comes to marriage. Fijian natives pickle their foods in banana leaf-lined pits, which provide a source of food in case of storms. But perhaps more importantly, if well-stocked, these pits help indicate if a man is able to provide for his future wife. The process of pickling foods is believed to have begun as far back as 2400 B.C. The first use of pickling for cucumbers occurred several centuries later in Western Asia. SAVE FOR LATER Makes 1 1/4 cups Ingredients 1/4 cup shelled macadamia nuts 1 3/4 cups chopped whole dill pickles 1 cup chopped fresh curly-leaf parsley 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives 1 teaspoon dill pickle juice 1/4 teaspoon paprika 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard seed Directions Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor. Blend until the desired consistency forms. If using a mortar and pestle, crush the macadamia nuts until a fine crumb forms. Add the pickles, parsley, and chives, and mash until fairly smooth. Mix in the remaining ingredients. Mash until the desired consistency forms. Store pesto in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to one week. Use throughout the week in the next two recipes. Pesto can last in an airtight container in the freezer for up to six months. Uses Bloody Mary Tomato juice is a key ingredient when making Bloody Mary. Tomatoes are also one of the most common vegetables grown in Fiji. In fact, they can grow year round on these islands. However, Fiji still imports a significant amount of tomatoes and other produce from New Zealand and Australia. Mack and Cheese Fiji is a nation made up of about 330 different islands. As a South Pacific archipelago, fish is readily available to Fijian people. One type of fish common in Fiji is mackerel, which is often sold as a canned food item in most supermarkets.

  • Broccoli Pesto Recipe | Once Upon a Pesto

    Broccoli Pesto Recipe INSPIRED BY FRANCE SA NF World War I G. I.s, whose initials stand for government issue or general issue, grew fond of eating broccoli during their service abroad. In 1919, the war officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed in a town near Paris, France. American soldiers then returned home from the war craving the broccoli, and as a result, they created a demand for the vegetable in the United States. Broccoli traces its roots to the Mediterranean, where it was created from a cabbage relative. The name broccoli comes from the Italian word that means the flowering crest of a cabbage. SAVE FOR LATER Makes 2 cups Ingredients 2 cups cooked broccoli cuts 1/2 cup fresh tarragon 1 garlic clove, peeled 2 ounces Gouda cheese (or 1/3 cup cubed) 1/4 cup olive oil 1/2 teaspoon salt Directions Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor. Blend until the desired consistency forms. If using a mortar and pestle, mash the broccoli, tarragon, and garlic until smooth. Mix in the remaining ingredients. Mash until the desired consistency forms. Store pesto in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to one week. Use throughout the week in the next two recipes. Pesto can last in an airtight container in the freezer for up to six months. Uses Chicken Pot Pie Crêpes Chicken pot pie was a common ration for soldiers during World War I, a global war ended by a treaty signed in France. Several years prior in France, it’s been said that a woman accidentally dribbled a thin porridge mixture onto a hot cooking surface. Thus, the crêpe was born. French Toast BLT Despite its name, French toast originated in Rome, not France, during the 4th century as a way to use up stale bread. In France, French toast is called pain perdu , or lost bread. The process of soaking the stale bread in a milk-egg mixture and then toasting it in a pan hasn't changed much throughout history.

  • Rhubarb Pesto Recipe | Once Upon a Pesto

    Rhubarb Pesto Recipe INSPIRED BY CHILE SA DF Rhubarb is a more recent addition to the produce world. One type of rhubarb, gunnera tinctoria , is native to Chile and called nalca there. Some know this species as Chilean prickly rhubarb, recognizing the attributes of the plant’s very large leaves and thorny stem. Rhubarb in Chile is used similarly to that of other areas of the world: the stalks are cooked into jams and other recipes. Before reaching the Americas, rhubarb is believed to be a native plant of Serbia, where it was found growing along a river bank. SAVE FOR LATER Makes 1 cup Ingredients 1/4 cup shelled walnuts 1 cup rhubarb pieces (cut into 1-inch pieces) 1 fennel bulb, chopped 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint 2 tablespoons caramel sauce Directions Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor. Blend until the desired consistency forms. If using a mortar and pestle, crush the walnuts until a fine crumb forms. Add the rhubarb, fennel, and mint, and mash until smooth. Mix in the caramel sauce. Mash until the desired consistency forms. Store pesto in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to one week. Use throughout the week in the next two recipes. Pesto can last in an airtight container in the freezer for up to six months. Uses Chili Chile vs. Chili: The two, though different by the single final vowel, are not at all related. Chile with an “e” is a South American nation that runs along the Pacific Ocean. On the other hand, chili with an “i” is a stew made with ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and chili peppers. Sopaipillas Sopaipilla is a fried pastry and a Chilean tradition since as early as 1726. There is no right or wrong time to eat them, and people in Chile enjoy them topped with chili pepper sauce, mustard, or ketchup. When eaten for dessert, sopaipillas are served with a caramel-like sauce.

  • Red Cabbage Pesto Recipe | Once Upon a Pesto

    Red Cabbage Pesto Recipe INSPIRED BY SPAIN SA DF NF In Spain, Christmas Eve dinner usually includes a red cabbage dish called lombarda . Throughout the country, it can be made in different ways. For some, it’s cooked with apples and smoky salt pork. Others add to it potatoes, raisins, or pine nuts. The main dish for Christmas in Spain is seafood. Spain isn’t the only country that includes red cabbage at Christmas time. Denmark also features a similar dish. For both countries, the vegetable is easy to prepare and adds a festive color to the dinner table. SAVE FOR LATER Makes 2 cups Ingredients 2 1/2 cups chopped red cabbage 1/2 cup sliced water chestnuts 2 tablespoons honey fresh juice of 1 lime 3 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper Directions Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor. Blend until the desired consistency forms. If using a mortar and pestle, mash the red cabbage and water chestnuts until smooth. Mix in the remaining ingredients. Mash until the desired consistency forms. Store pesto in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to one week. Use throughout the week in the next two recipes. Pesto can last in an airtight container in the freezer for up to six months. Uses Melon Gazpacho Gazpacho is a cold soup typically made with blended raw tomatoes or other vegetables. It originated in Andalusia, a region in southern Spain. Gazpacho is especially popular as a cold dish because of the hot summers the region experiences. Spanish Tortilla More commonly known as a Spanish omelette, the tortilla española is a fried egg and potato dish. It’s served hot or cold, and is one of many popular Spanish tapas, or small appetizers.

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