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  • Spinach Pesto Recipe | Once Upon a Pesto

    Spinach Pesto Recipe INSPIRED BY CHINA SA NF When you think of spinach, you don’t often think of Chinese food. Yet, ever since the 7th century when the King of Nepal sent the vegetable to China as a gift, the leafy green has been a staple in Chinese kitchens from broth bowls to stir-fry dishes. It also grows in many varieties in China. One variety is called en choy , which means Chinese spinach. Spinach traces its roots to ancient Persia, which is present-day Iran. There, it was known as aspanakh . SAVE FOR LATER Makes 1 1/2 cups Ingredients 1/4 cup sunflower seeds 2 whole artichoke hearts 3 garlic cloves, peeled 1 8-ounce bag baby spinach 1/2 cup grated Asiago cheese 3 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 sunflower seeds until a fine crumb forms. Add the artichoke, garlic, and spinach. 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 Stir-fried Cauliflower Rice Stir fry originated in China. During the Ming Dynasty, which lasted from 1368 to 1644, this technique for cooking meat and vegetables became widely popular among Chinese people. That’s also when China’s population doubled and stir fry then spread throughout the world. Chicken Dumplings Momo , or a type of steamed dumpling, is one of the most common foods in Nepal, the country that gave spinach to China. In both Nepal and China, dumplings are often made at home. They are filled with meat or vegetables, steamed or fried, and served with different dipping sauces.

  • Pumpkin Pesto Recipe | Once Upon a Pesto

    Pumpkin Pesto Recipe INSPIRED BY NATIVE AMERICANS SA Pumpkins are part of the squash family. Well before the pilgrims arrived in North America, pumpkin was a staple in Indian diets, with uses ranging from soups to desserts. And both the flesh and seeds of pumpkin were important parts of their meals. Native Americans introduced pumpkin and other foods to immigrants in the 1500s when they arrived in North America. Pumpkin is said to have originated in North America. Its name comes from a Greek word meaning large melon. SAVE FOR LATER Makes 2 cups Ingredients 1/4 cup shelled pecans 2 cups pumpkin puree (fresh or canned) 1/4 cup (or 2 ounces) cream cheese 2 tablespoons maple syrup 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom Directions Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor. Blend until the desired consistency forms. If using a mortar and pestle, crush the pecans until a fine crumb forms. Add the pumpkin 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 Stuffed Turkey Meatloaf Poyha is a Cherokee tribe recipe similar to meatloaf. It traditionally calls for venison. However, turkey stands out as an important protein source for Native Americans, who started raising turkeys for food about ten centuries ago. Cranberry Nasaump Nasaump , sometimes simply called samp , is a traditional Wampanoag dish made with dried corn, local berries, and nuts. Like porridge, it's boiled until thick. The traditional Wampanoag recipe uses fresh berries and nuts.

  • TEMPLATE Pesto Recipe | Once Upon a Pesto

    Asparagus Pesto Recipe INSPIRED BY PERU SA DF NF SW Peru ranks as one of the world's largest producers of asparagus. Through irrigation methods, farmers are able to grow the stalk year-round and the plants are productive for 15 to 20 years. Half of their crops are green asparagus; the other half are white. Asparagus is thought to have originated in the Mediterranean area. Today, the majority of the asparagus produced in Peru is sent to Europe, making the history and production of asparagus a complete circle. SAVE FOR LATER Makes 2 cups Ingredients 1/3 cup shelled pistachios 3 cups 1-inch asparagus pieces (about 3/4 lb asparagus stalks) 1/2 cup diced sweet onion 3 tablespoons ricotta cheese juice of 1/2 lemon 1/4 cup olive oil 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly 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 pistachios until a fine crumb forms. Add the asparagus and onion, 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 Quinoa Soup Quinoa originated in the Andean region in and around Peru. As a protein-rich ancient grain in a nation where meat is sometimes scarce, it's a staple both on plates and in a traditional bowl of soup. Street Corn Choclo is a variety of corn grown in the Andean Mountains of Peru. It's sweet and made of large grains. It's common to find it topped with cheese and sold as street food in Peru.

  • Sweet Pesto Recipes | Once Upon a Pesto

    Sweet pesto recipes are not what you normally expect when you hear pesto, but they feature fruit to elevate your next homemade sauce. Sweet Pesto Recipes Banana Pesto View More Cantaloupe Pesto View More Cherry Pesto View More Grape Pesto View More DF NF SW SW DF SW SW Lemon Pesto View More Mango Pesto View More Passion Fruit Pesto View More Pineapple Pesto View More SW SW SW DF SW DF Plum Pesto View More SW DF

  • Dairy-Free Pesto Recipes | Once Upon a Pesto

    Dairy-free pesto recipes are designed with those who are lactose intolerant or sensitive to dairy products. Dairy-Free Pesto Recipes Banana Pesto View More Cantaloupe Pesto View More Cassava Pesto View More Celery Pesto View More Collard Greens Pesto View More Daikon Pesto View More Eggplant Pesto View More Lemongrass Pesto View More DF SA Maple Syrup Pesto View More Okra Pesto View More Parsley Pesto View More Passion Fruit Pesto View More DF NF SA SA DF DF SA DF NF SW SA DF SA DF SA DF DF NF SA SA DF DF SW SW DF Pickle Pesto View More Pineapple Pesto View More Plum Pesto View More Red Cabbage Pesto View More DF SA SW DF SW DF DF NF SA Rhubarb Pesto View More Rutabaga Pesto View More Spices Pesto View More SA DF DF NF SA DF SA

  • 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.

  • Zucchini Pesto Recipe | Once Upon a Pesto

    Zucchini Pesto Recipe INSPIRED BY ITALY SA Zucchini and tomato are some of the most often used ingredients in Italian cooking. Zucchini is an Italian word meaning small squash. That translation is pretty straightforward. However, the translation for tomato is a bit different. The Italian word for tomato literally means apple of gold. This makes sense when you realize that it’s believed that the first tomatoes known to Europeans were actually yellow, not red. The word zucchini is a plural diminutive of zucca , or one squash. The diminutive form of zucca is zucchino , and the plural of that becomes zucchini . SAVE FOR LATER Makes 2 cups Ingredients 2 tablespoons pine nuts 1 medium zucchini, chopped 1/3 cup sun-dried tomato halves 2 garlic cloves, peeled 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup olive oil 1 teaspoon salt Directions Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor. Blend until the desired consistency forms. If using a mortar and pestle, crush the pine nuts until a fine crumb forms. Add the zucchini, sun-dried tomato, 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 Risotto-stuffed Peppers Risotto is the most common use of rice in Italy. Rice first arrived in Sicily during the Middle Ages. Over time, the rice that grew best in Italy’s climate was a short-grain variety. Arborio rice is the type used in risotto . It’s cooked in broth to create this creamy primo , or first course, dish. Eggplant Parmesan Lasagna Stacks Eggplant Parmesan traces its roots to Italy, where it’s called parmigiana di melanzane . The dish’s name comes from the Sicilian word for shutters parmiciana . On the other hand, lasagna is not originally from Italy. This now Italian classic was first made in ancient Greece.

  • 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.

  • Pineapple Pesto Recipe | Once Upon a Pesto

    Pineapple Pesto Recipe INSPIRED BY BRAZIL DF SW Pineapple is said to be indigenous to the area that is today Brazil. Brazilian natives then spread the fruit throughout South and Central America. Pineapple acquired the nickname anana , which means excellent fruit. Nowadays, Brazil is one of the leading producers of pineapple, which is eaten year-round there. When Christopher Columbus traveled to the New World a second time in 1493, he and his crew discovered anana . They ate the pineapple they found, noting its semblance to a pinecone and its texture comparable to an apple. SAVE FOR LATER Makes 1 1/2 cups Ingredients 1/3 cup shelled Brazil nuts 2 cups cut fresh pineapple 1 cup fresh basil 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice 1/8 teaspoon salt Directions Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor. Blend until the desired consistency forms. If using a mortar and pestle, crush the Brazil nuts until a fine crumb forms. Add the pineapple and basil, 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 Citrus Ribs At a Brazilian steakhouse, also known as a churrascaria , rounds and rounds of meat that’s been cooked over a barbecue are served. The dining experience reflects the fireside roasts that gaúchos of southern Brazil had centuries ago. Coffee Flan Pudim , or pudding in English, traditionally calls for milk, eggs, and sugar. This dessert is by far the most popular in Brazil, and the most popular drink in the nation is arguably coffee. Not only is Brazil among the top coffee consumers in the world, the country is also one of the leading global coffee producers.

  • Caper Pesto Recipe | Once Upon a Pesto

    Caper Pesto Recipe INSPIRED BY CYPRUS SA Capers are the edible flower buds of a bush that thrives in the hot and dry climate of Mediterranean countries like Cyprus. Their harvesting is laborious. One by one, capers are picked by hand due to their delicate nature. They are then sorted by size, and dried or brined. Capers are a very old commodity. They likely originated in western and central Asia, and there’s mention of them on clay tablets dating back nearly 5,000 years ago. SAVE FOR LATER Makes 1 cup Ingredients 1/4 cup shelled almonds 3 cups baby arugula 3 tablespoons capers, plus 4 teaspoons liquid from jar 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 2 tablespoons extra virgin 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 almonds until a fine crumb forms. Add the arugula and capers, 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 Feta Dip On the island of Cyprus, halloumi is recognized as the national cheese. But feta could be just as easily found and enjoyed, and it hails from its neighbor and friend Greece. Feta is a versatile cheese used as a garnish or as the main ingredient, much like halloumi. Sheftalia In Cyprus, sheftalia is a barbecued street food. Its name comes from the Turkish word for kebab. One theory claims the dish got its name from a street vendor who is credited for having invented it.

  • Corn Pesto Recipe | Once Upon a Pesto

    Corn Pesto Recipe INSPIRED BY SOUTH AFRICA SA NF Corn dominates South African cuisine. It’s seen everywhere from a porridge called mealie pap to a salad made of maize meal. South Africans even have their own name for corn, mealies , and it’s the most important grain crop in the country’s economy. Maize was brought to the African continent at the start of the 16th century. But it wasn’t until 1655 that the crop arrived in South Africa. Not long afterwards, corn took on its important role throughout the nation. SAVE FOR LATER Makes 1 1/4 cups Ingredients 2 ears of raw corn, kernels removed (or 2 cups canned corn) 1 cup loosely packed fresh chervil (or curly parsley) 2 garlic cloves 2 tablespoons butter, melted 1/4 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 corn, chervil, and garlic until smooth. Mix in the butter and salt. 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 Sorghum Pilaf Both corn and sorghum are among South Africa’s top five grain crops. Sorghum, a grain indigenous to Africa, is used in porridge, bread, beer, and livestock feed. The cereal can thrive on marginal land and in drier conditions, making it a reliable crop in many areas throughout Africa. Mealie Casserole South African mealie pap , or sometimes mealie-meal , is a porridge similar to polenta or grits. It’s coarsely ground maize that’s cooked on the stovetop. Many people in South Africa eat it for breakfast with sugar and milk, or with syrup and butter. It can also be made savory.

  • 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.

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