This year, make memories that will last a lifetime!

Whatever the occasion, offering a selection of tasty food and decadent drinks and desserts is going to make every moment magical! 

Whether you plan on hosting a number of birthday parties, corporate luncheons, or any kind of get together, quality food is a must. At Table & Thyme, we’ve been helping others create unforgettable experiences for some time now, and if there’s anything to be learned, it is that food plays a huge role in an event’s level of success. It does not always have to be a large and expertly crafted array of dishes, but even a small picnic for two can be made better with some attention to detail and quality items!

Of course, we will always recommend our one-of-a-kind Graze Boxes for small-scale events, or our Event Catering for those special occasions. However, if that isn’t what you’re looking for, we’ve got plenty of helpful tips and tricks to share for hosting an unforgettable event! 

When it comes to putting together a quality menu, the little things definitely matter. This week we are sharing one of our all-time favorite pesto recipes to serve alongside a delicious charcuterie spread of cured meats, aged cheeses, artisan crackers, and more!  

Image by Nathalie Jolie

What is Pesto?

Before we get started, let’s get some things straightened out. Most people have at least heard of pesto if they haven’t gone as far as tried it, but many people may not know exactly what the dish is, or what makes it such a special and versatile dip! Pesto is a sauce traditionally made by crushing ingredients together using a mortar and pestle and originates from Genoa, Italy. Oftentimes, pesto has a fresh green color to it and tastes strongly of herbs and sharp Parmesan cheese. 

There are so many ways pesto can be utilized, and even made, which means there’s a perfect pesto out there for everyone! Here are a few of the many ways to savor the unique flavors of pesto:

As a Dip

As a Dressing for Salads

As a Sandwich Spread

As a Sauce or Garnish

As a Stuffing or Filling

As a Pizza Topping

On Savory Breakfast Toast

As a Pasta Sauce

Although pesto is more often than not made from a variation of common ingredients such as basil, pine nuts, Parmesan, and more, the possibilities are endless! For some tantalizing and tangy fun, we are sharing our beloved Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto recipe with you, as well as a few other pesto recipes via our sister company, Mealfit, so that you can be enjoying this unique dish in style! 

How to Make Homemade Pesto

Luckily, there are other methods to making quality pesto than using the traditional mortar and pestle. Of course, you can always use that method if manual labor is your love language and you're making a special batch of pesto, but there’s an incredibly quick and easy method that won’t have you breaking a single sweat, too, if you’d prefer. 

Once you’ve gathered all of your desired ingredients, simply toss them into a food processor and process until smooth! Simple, right? In less than five minutes, you will be enjoying the flavorful medley of your new favorite dip, perfect for any event!

Table & Thyme’s Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

This creamy, tangy, and herby pesto has the perfect kick to energize any event, and it brings warmth and comfort in every bite! 

Ingredients

• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes
• ⅓ cup almonds (unsalted, dry roasted)
• 2-3 cloves garlic
• 1 Tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• ¾ cup to 1 cup extra virgin olive oil, depending on your desired texture

Directions 

1. Place all ingredients in a food processor and process until all ingredients are finely chopped. Once finely chopped, transfer mixture into an air-tight container. 
2. Store covered in the refrigerator for 5-7 days. 
3. Serve tossed with pasta, spread onto crostini, as a sandwich spread or with your favorite meats and seafood.

Looking for More Fun Pesto Recipes? 

Table & Thyme didn’t stumble on this masterpiece of a pesto recipe by accident. In fact, we’ve worked with our sister company, Mealfit, to create a number of incredible pesto spreads to suit every occasion! 

If you’re looking to expand your culinary skills and find your new favorite pesto recipe, be sure to visit Mealfit’s 5 Irresistible Homemade Pesto Recipes blog for inspiration and instruction! 

We hope you enjoyed this fun and quick recipe guide for our beloved Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto. If you tried it, or you tried one of our other pesto variations shared on Mealfit’s blog, be sure to share your experience with us via social media, we would love to hear from you! 

For more information on Table and Thyme, contact them today! Follow us on our social media: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Pinterest to see the other amazing events, lavishing grazing tables and beautiful graze boxes we have created.