3. On Hot Vegetables
You may be wondering what you can add to sauteed vegetables that will create some variety from the traditional butter, olive oil or garlic options. Basting asparagus, tomatoes, beans, artichoke hearts, peppers and other vegetables you cook with some pesto as well as olive oil and other seasonings can add a bold, rich flavors to your usual side dishes.
You can also put some pine nuts and parmesan cheese or basil leaves, ingredients in the pesto, with the vegetables to accentuate the flavors of the pesto. When roasting tomatoes, peppers and mushrooms, brush on some pesto mixed with olive oil for additional flavor.
The pesto adds a richness to vegetables without overpowering them and complements the fresh taste of tomatoes and peppers. Pesto can be an excellent way to increase the flavor of steamed vegetables if you are trying to avoid adding heavy oils or butter.