Pecans Rank High Because of Their Versatility

The pecan's versatility is such that it can be used in pesto. Using pecans as an added ingredient in a pesto recipe adds an interesting flavor. Pecans will also enhance the overall nutritional value of any dish because of all the different vitamins and minerals found in them. Chipotle Pecan Pesto uses pecans instead of pine nuts. To view recipe go to http://www.delishplan.com/chipotle-pecan-pesto/

What is pesto? A sauce that is made with basil, pine nuts, olive oil, and grated Parmesan cheese blended together and served hot or cold over pasta, fish, or meat. Pesto originated around the 16th century in the northern Italy. The name Pesto comes from the Genoese word pestâ. Pestâ means to pound or to crush. Here is a list of different ways to use pesto:

• On Bread - spread a generous amount of your favorite pesto on a slice of your favorite type of bread. Sprinkle with some fresh Parmesan cheese and broil until toasted and warm.
• Dip - make vegetables more exciting when you serve them with a delicious pesto dipping sauce. This goes especially well with grilled veggies during the summer.
• As a Sandwich Spread - instead of mayo on your sandwich, try pesto.
• Marinade or Meat Sauce - marinade meat in pesto with some kind of acid (vinegar or citrus juice) and a little extra olive oil added to thin it out.
• Pizza Sauce - rather than a marinara, use pesto as a sauce for your next pizza.
• Green Beans -toss 1 pound steamed green beans with 3 tablespoons pesto and the juice of 1/2 lemon.