It’s really easy to make pesto and sauces in a short time! I have a powerful Vitamix blender that can make creamy, flavorful pestos and robust sauces.
To make it, you’ll need 1/2 cup of olive oil, 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, 3-6 garlic cloves, 4 cups of fresh basil leaves, and 3 tablespoons of pine nuts.
I think a powerful blender can make your pesto more creamy and soft. Sharp-speed motors and blades can smash garlic, basil leaves, pine nuts, pinch salt, and black pepper.
Vitamix Pesto, Sauce, Salsa Verde and Aioli Recipes
- 1/2 cup (240 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup (100 g) soy parmesan, or parmesan cheese
- 6 medium garlic cloves, peeled
- 4 cups (160 g) fresh basil leaves
- ⅓ cup (50 g) pine nuts
- 1 pinch salt, optional
- 1 pinch ground black pepper
Vitamix Pesto Recipe
Ensure your ingredients are fresh for optimal flavor. Start by adding the Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and garlic into the Vitamix container, then blend on Variable 1. Gradually increase to Variable 7, blending until the mixture is coarsely chopped.
Once chopped, add the fresh basil leaves, and while the Vitamix is running on Variable 7, slowly add the olive oil. Blend until you have achieved your desired consistency.
Vitamix Tomato Sauce Recipe
For a simple and delicious tomato sauce, gather the following ingredients: 6 ripe tomatoes, 1/2 onion, 2 cloves garlic, 1/2 cup basil leaves, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon sugar.
Chop the tomatoes into quarters and the onion into large chunks. Put all your ingredients into the Vitamix container and secure the lid.
Start at Variable 1, slowly increase to Variable 10 and then to High, blending for about a minute or until desired consistency is reached. You can now cook your sauce in a pan over medium heat for 10-15 minutes, adding any additional seasonings you prefer.
Vitamix Salsa Verde Recipe
Explore the zesty side of sauces with a Salsa Verde. To make this with your Vitamix, you’ll need 1 pound of tomatillos, 1/2 onion, 2 garlic cloves, 1 jalapeno, 1/2 cup of cilantro leaves, and salt to taste.
Husk and rinse the tomatillos, then cut them in half along with the onion and jalapeno. Place all your ingredients into the Vitamix container, starting on Variable 1, slowly increasing to Variable 8 for about 1 minute, or until mixture is smooth but still has some texture. This salsa can be served immediately or stored in the refrigerator for later use.
Vitamix Aioli Recipe
To make Aioli in your Vitamix, gather 1 cup of mayo, 3 garlic cloves, the juice of 1 lemon and salt to taste. Place all ingredients into your Vitamix container and secure the lid.
Set to Variable 1, gradually increasing to Variable 7, and blend for around 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until you achieve a smooth texture. The result is a creamy, garlicky sauce perfect for sandwiches, dips or as a dressing.
Unique flavor profiles of pesto and sauces
Pestos and sauces are staples in many culinary traditions, and they provide an easy way to introduce flavors and complexity to a variety of dishes.
The flavor profile of a pesto or sauce can greatly impact the dish it is added to.
The key ingredients in a traditional basil pesto, for example, include fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, and olive oil.
This lends a savory, tangy, and herbal flavor to dishes. Sauces can range from tangy barbecue, spicy salsa, rich marinara, to flavorful aioli, each carrying a unique flavor.
Pairing pestos with the right dishes
When it comes to pesto, the best complement is typically pasta. The rich, creamy texture of the pesto lends itself to coating pasta, enhancing its flavor.
You can also use pesto as a marinade for grilled meats, spread on sandwiches, or drizzled over roasted vegetables or baked potatoes.
Vitamix sun-dried tomato pesto, with its distinctive tang and sweetness, is excellent with chicken, mixed in with roasted vegetables, or spread onto a gourmet sandwich.
To ensure you’re not overpowering your dish, start with a small amount of pesto and add more until the desired flavor level is reached.
