A refreshing and delicate pesto recipe from Western Sicily which. Perfect for light meals or when you want to make something quick and that everyone can enjoy
Start by preparing tomatoes. Remove tomatoes from sauce (use sauce for another recipe).
Dry fry the almonds in a large sauce pan on a low heat to toast them. Be careful not to let them burn.
Put the basil leaves, toasted almonds, a pinch of salt and the peeled garlic cloves into a blender or food processor with a little olive oil and pulse a few times until the mixture resembles large breadcrumbs.
Add the tomatoes and half the grated pecorino cheese and pulse a few times more until you have a rough creamy consistency.
Add pepper to taste and a little more olive oil if the sauce seems dry or more cheese if it seems too liquidy.
Leave the pesto to stand for 30 minutes before using to allow the flavour to develop (or keep it in the fridge covered with cling film until ready to use)
In the meantime, boil a pan of water for the pasta. Add salt once it starts to boil and when it comes to a boil again cook the pasta al dente according to the instructions on the packet.
While the pasta is cooking dry fry the breadcrumbs to toast them. Be careful not to burn them.
When the pasta is ready, save a cup of the cooking water and drain.
Return the pasta to the pan, add the pesto and mix everything together well over a low heat for a minute. If the sauce seems dry add some of the pasta cooking water.
Serve immediately sprinkled with breadcrumbs or if you prefer, grated pecorino
