Cilantro-Citrus Pesto
Makes ½ cup -- enough for 8 ounces pasta -- 4 servings
1 cup fresh cilantro sprigs, tender stems included
¼ cup minced shallots
2 tablespoons roasted peanut oil (see Tip)
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
1 teaspoon Chinese chili paste with garlic, or to taste
Dash of freshly ground pepper, or to taste
Dash of salt, or to taste
Finely chopped dry-roasted, unsalted peanuts and sprigs of fresh cilantro for garnish
Paulette Mitchell, a culinary instructor, television personality, spokesperson, freelance food writer, and the award-winning author of 13 cookbooks, is known internationally for her quick-to-prepare recipes with gourmet flair. Paulette's most recently published cookbook is "The Complete 15-Minute Gourmet: Creative Cuisine Made Fast and Fresh." She is also the author of "A Beautiful Bowl of Soup" and "The Spirited Vegetarian," which was voted "Best Book in the World on Cooking with Wine" at the 2005 Gourmand World Media Awards. Paulette says that international travel is her favorite source of culinary inspiration.
For an unusual Asian-flavored light main course, toss this vibrantly flavored pesto with thin Chinese wheat-flour noodles and top with sautéed or grilled shrimp.
1 cup fresh cilantro sprigs, tender stems included
¼ cup minced shallots
2 tablespoons roasted peanut oil (see Tip)
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
1 teaspoon Chinese chili paste with garlic, or to taste
Dash of freshly ground pepper, or to taste
Dash of salt, or to taste
Finely chopped dry-roasted, unsalted peanuts and sprigs of fresh cilantro for garnish
Put all of the ingredients into a food processor; process until the mixture is nearly smooth.
Toss with hot freshly cooked noodles. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
Paulette Mitchell, a culinary instructor, television personality, spokesperson, freelance food writer, and the award-winning author of 13 cookbooks, is known internationally for her quick-to-prepare recipes with gourmet flair. Paulette's most recently published cookbook is "The Complete 15-Minute Gourmet: Creative Cuisine Made Fast and Fresh." She is also the author of "A Beautiful Bowl of Soup" and "The Spirited Vegetarian," which was voted "Best Book in the World on Cooking with Wine" at the 2005 Gourmand World Media Awards. Paulette says that international travel is her favorite source of culinary inspiration. 
