another jar in my christmas gift basket contained this oriental Pesto. the combination of dates, almonds, cumin and dried tomatoes reminds of ariabian nights. with eg penne you get a pretty good pasta dish.

ingredients (1 jar ca 250 ml)

• 100 g dried tomatoes (in oil)
• 1teaspoon dried oregano
• 70 g chopped almonds
• 60 g pecorino or grana padano
• 40 g pitted soft dates
• 2 tbsp olive oil + some to cover
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• salt, pepper

in a pan dry roast the almonds. finely grate the pecorino or grana. roughly chop the dates and tomatoes. with Olive Oil puree all ingredients to your liking – roughly or fine. season with cumin, salt and pepper. fill into a sterilized jar and cover with olive oil. check the next day if you maybe have to add some more oil – it helps preserving the pesto. keeps in fridge for about 3 weeks.

Filed under: mains, pasta, presents from the kitchen, vegetarian Tagged: mains, pasta, pesto, presents from the kitchen, vegetrian