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  • Mango Pesto Recipe | Once Upon a Pesto

    Mango Pesto Recipe INSPIRED BY THAILAND SW Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, is also known as the Big Mango. The nickname is fitting because mango is a native fruit of Thailand. The Asian nation is also the fourth largest producer of mango in the world, and Thai people enjoy it at every meal from salads to a popular dessert called mango sticky rice. Mangoes come in a wide variety in Thailand. In the west, they are most often sweet and yellow, whereas other areas grow a more tart and green mango. SAVE FOR LATER Makes 1 1/2 cups Ingredients 1/4 cup shelled almonds 1 mango, peeled and seed removed 1/4 cup chopped fresh ginger 1/2 cup fresh mint 1/4 cup mascarpone cheese 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 mango and ginger, and mash until smooth. Mix in the mint and mascarpone cheese. 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 Red Pepper Salad Salads in Thailand usually consist of a meat, seafood, or noodle base rather than greens or raw vegetables as seen elsewhere around the world. Thai salads fall into one of four categories based on the way the ingredients are prepared: yam , tam , larb , and phla . Yellow Chicken Curry Curry is crucial to Thai kitchens. However, curry’s origins are Indian. Thailand adopted this dish, but incorporated local ingredients. One noticeable difference is that Thai curry is often sweeter than Indian curry.

  • Lemon Pesto Recipe | Once Upon a Pesto

    Lemon Pesto Recipe INSPIRED BY MYANMAR SW Lemons are thought to have originated in Burma, which is known as Myanmar today. They were found growing wild and appeared to be a cross between bitter orange and citron. In the 2nd century, the citrus fruit made its way to Europe, Africa, and other Asian nations. When lemons reached Rome, Italy, they were considered quite rare. The wealthy used them for decoration as well as medicine for curing ailments such as nausea and sea sickness. SAVE FOR LATER Makes 1 1/4 cups Ingredients 1/4 cup shelled pistachios 1 cup fresh blackberries 1/2 medium lemon, ends removed and cut in half 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes 2 tablespoons ricotta cheese 2 tablespoons honey 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 blackberries, lemon, and coconut. 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 Bamboo Shoots Salad Shrimp and bamboo shoots are key foods in Myanmar’s economy and culture. Shrimp farming is an important industry along the country’s more than 1,800 miles of coastline. Meanwhile, bamboo shoots are popular among Myanmar’s markets. Tapioca Pudding In Myanmar, moh let saung is a dessert similar to tapioca pudding. It’s made with coconut milk and sago. Sago is a starch that comes from palm trees, and sometimes tapioca is used in its place as it’s another form of starch—starch from cassava.

  • 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.

  • Cantaloupe Pesto Recipe | Once Upon a Pesto

    Cantaloupe Pesto Recipe INSPIRED BY ARMENIA DF SW In the 16th century, cantaloupe seeds made their way from Armenia to an Italian town near the capitol Rome called Cantalupo. The melon was then named after that town. More recently, fruits like cantaloupe are key ingredients in Armenian kitchens. While Italians are proud that their town Cantalupo inspired a fruit’s name, it was the French who actually called them cantaloup , whose English version is cantaloupe. SAVE FOR LATER Makes 1 1/2 cups Ingredients 1/4 cup pine nuts 2 cups 1-inch cantaloupe pieces 1/4 cup fresh tarragon 1 tablespoon pomegranate juice 1/2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 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 cantaloupe 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 Fruit Leather Nanny candy, which is also called bastegh , is a fruit leather common in Armenia. It’s made with pureed fresh fruit, baked at a low temperature, and then cut and rolled. The tradition of cooking fruit leather at home began with Armenians and Persians when they realized they could preserve fruit this way. Orzo Pilaf Pilaf is an Armenian staple. It’s an easy-to-prepare, grain-based dish that’s flavored with meat, vegetables, or fruits. Rice and bulgar are the traditional grains used as the base in this dish.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

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