I love a roasted pepper pesto of any kind and this Roasted Anaheim Pepper Manchego Pesto is out of this world! It is bursting with flavor, just waiting to be spread on your favorite cracker or slice of bread! I often scoop up the pesto with a raw walnut half or carrot stick and eat it for a delicious healthy snack. It is sooo good!
I love a good manchego cheese! It is a Spanish cheese produced in the La Mancha region of Spain. This cheese is made from unpasteurized sheep’s milk from the manchega breed of sheep, unless it’s the industrial version. There are 4 different stages and flavors of manchego.
The first is only aged for about two weeks and is called Fresco. It’s a fresh cheese produced in small batches with a rich but mild flavor that is mainly found in Spain. The next is the Semi Curado, which is aged about 3 months making it a bit soft with fruity, grassy and buttery notes. The Curado is aged for 6 months is semi firm, which gives it a nutty caramel flavor. The Viejo is aged for a year, making it more of a firm cheese with a crumbly texture and is a bit more sweet and peppery. I tend to use the Curado the most.
This pesto is great with a White Rioja or a Rueda.
Roasted Anaheim Pepper Manchego Pesto Recipe:
Approx. 2 Cups
- 3 Anaheim Peppers – roasted
- 1 Serrano Peppers
- 1 Cup Manchego Cheese – finely shredded
- 1 Cup Raw walnuts
- 1/2 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice – fresh squeezed
- 1 Large Garlic Cloves
- 1/2 Teaspoon Sea Salt
Instructions:
Peppers
Roast the peppers on the stovetop on medium high heat. A gas stove works the best but it will work fine on an electric stove. Char the peppers on all sides turning with a pair of tongs. When good and charred, steam them for 10 minutes in a covered dish or a paper bag rolled shut to hold in the steam.
Take a paper towel and rub off the char. It’s ok to leave a little of the char. Slice in half and remove the seeds and stems.
Pesto
While the peppers are cooling, measure all other ingredients and add to a food processor or blender. Add the pepper to the food processor and blend well. If you like it hot, you can leave the seeds in the Serrano peppers.
Health Benefits:
Anaheim pepper are an excellent source of vitamin C, only a 1/4 cup provides you with the daily amount recommended for adults. They are also very high in vitamin A, which is good for your eyes, skin and hair. Peppers are high in fiber and they are rich in phytonutrients that may help prevent disease and keep your body working properly. They are high in Vitamin K that strengthens bones and helps protect cells from oxidative damage. They also have a significant amount of B vitamins, thiamine, niacin, iron and riboflavin.
