Crispy Pancetta Crostini With Arugula Lemon Pesto Recipes

CRISPY PANCETTA CROSTINI WITH ARUGULA-LEMON PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Toast the pine nuts in a saute pan over medium-high heat until golden in spots, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and reserve.
• Arrange the pancetta in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until golden brown and crisp, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to cool.
• Combine the toasted pine nuts, garlic and Parmesan in a food processor; pulse to finely chop. Add the arugula and continue to pulse until finely chopped. With the motor running, slowly add the olive oil; process until incorporated. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper, and pulse to combine.
• Spoon a nice dollop of pesto onto each slice of baguette, top with a pancetta crisp and serve.

FUSILLI WITH ARUGULA PESTO AND CRISPY PANCETTA

Steps:

• Preheat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until crispy, 5 to 7 minutes. Set aside on a paper towel-lined plate.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare an ice water bath. Stir the arugula into the boiling water and cook until it is bright green and tender, about 15 seconds. Remove the arugula directly to the ice bath and let cool completely, then drain, gently squeeze out the excess water and set aside. Do the same for the basil. Once the arugula and basil are blanched, cook the pasta in the boiling water until al dente.
• Meanwhile, make the pesto. Add the arugula and basil to a food processor and blend until mostly pureed, about 30 seconds. Add oil, pine nuts, garlic and salt and pepper and puree for another 30 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add the cheese and pulse, drizzling more oil as desired, until combined but not fully pureed, another 30 seconds. (See Cook's Note.)
• Place the pesto and butter in a large bowl and add drained pasta to the bowl, reserving some pasta water to thin the sauce as desired. Mix the pesto and pasta, season to taste and crumble the slices of crispy pancetta on top. Serve with extra grated Pecorino and a drizzle of olive oil.

CLASSIC PESTO

Steps:

• Add the basil, Parmesan, pine nuts and garlic to a food processor. Pulse a few times to break up the garlic and nuts. Add 1/4 cup olive oil and pulse a few more times, scraping down the sides as needed. With the motor running, stream in the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil and the lemon juice until a thick paste forms. Add salt and pepper to taste and pulse a few more times to combine.
• Remove and store, refrigerated in an airtight container, for up to 2 days (with a thin layer of olive oil drizzled on top so that it does not turn brown).