Basil and Tarragon Pesto

As much as I hate to admit it, I do refer to Rachael Ray’s recipes from time to time (her gumbo recipe isn’t half-bad, either). The idea of adding tarragon to pesto is pretty genius. I’m already a tarragon fanatic, but I think it adds a delicate flavor to pesto that’s kind of refreshing for summer.

For this recipe, you will need:

1/4 cup pine nuts
1 cup basil, 20 leaves
1/2 cup chopped tarragon leaves (10 to 12 stems)
handful flat-leaf parsley
1 lemon, zested
1 clove garlic
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
coarse black pepper
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, eyeball it

Toast pine nuts in a small pan until golden.

Place nuts, basil, tarragon, parsley, lemon zest, garlic, cheese and a little salt and pepper in a food processor. Turn the processor on and stream in the extra-virgin olive oil until thick sauce forms. Serve with pasta, meat, or whatever you like!

Basil and Tarragon Pesto
Basil and Tarragon Pesto

Adapted from Rachael Ray’s Three Vegetable Penne Pasta.

Save

22 comments

Reply

I'm not a big fan of Rachel Ray either, but the added tarragon is fantastic. And love that it can be vegetarian, as well.

♥, Jamie
http://www.TheFancyTeacup.com

Reply

This looks delicious! I'm not a big cook so anything I can try is great!

Reply

What a treat!

Reply

looks so simple and delicious. Def must try.

Reply

This is my idea of a perfect meal! I adore italian food!

Check out my giveaway 🙂 http://fashion-thrill.blogspot.com/2011/08/my-first-giveaway.html

XoXo
Plami

http://fashion-thrill.blogspot.com/

Reply

Oh this looks so yummy! I love the flavour of tarragon but I always have a hard time figuring out in what recipes it works best…I definitely need to try this one! 🙂

Reply

I have no idea who Rachel Ray is (some sort of American?) but that looks fantastic.

K xx

Reply

wow! looks delis! thanks!

Reply

This sounds amazing. Two of my favorite flavors!

thequeenofwanderlust.blogspot.com

Reply

Omygosh– the pasta looks so yummy! I need to hire you as my personal chef 🙂

La Petite Marmoset

Reply

Looks great. I use her recipes as well.
Daphne.
http://fashiondivamommy.blogspot.com

Reply

Delicious! Now I am hungry.

Reply

Yum. x hivenn

Reply

Oh, I love pesto. It's so yummy with mozzarella and toasted bread.

Reply

That looks mouth wateringly good!

Reply

Oo tarragon is so unexpected and sounds delicious!

P. S. Yep I am totally rewriting this year's wish/shopping list around missoni for target! Ooh all those cute plates, vases, and cardigans!

xoxo,
Chic 'n Cheap Living

Reply

i will bring the wine if you make this………… this look SO MOUTHWATERING!

with love,
guildedsecret

Reply

That pasta looks so delicious!!

Reply

mm. Yum. Pesto. And I love how you eat tomatoes plain with just some spices (or pesto)! I'm the same way. I love a good raw tomato, sliced with salt and pepper (who doesn't?)

Reply

I SO wish this was on my dinner menu tonight!

Reply

I've been dying to learn how to make a pesto sauce for quite some time but too lazy to figure it out when I did remember! I'm saving this and making it soon! YUM!

Reply

Aren't we all closet Rachel Ray fans at some level? I love me some tarragon but often have a hard time finding it. Will definitely be trying this ASAP since pesto is a weekly staple in our house.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *