This pesto Calabrese recipe combines smoky charred peppers, soft ricotta, sun-dried tomatoes, creamy almonds and a healthy pinch of chilli flakes to create a wonderful sauce that can act as both a dip and a pasta sauce.
Begin by charring the peppers in a smoking hot griddle pan or directly over a gas hob flame, rotating as the skin blackens. Once charred all over, place in a bowl and cover with clingfilm (this will make removing the skins easier)
As the peppers cool, heat the olive oil in a pan and sauté the onion and garlic until soft but not coloured
1 tbsp of olive oil
1 small onion, diced
1 garlic clove, chopped
3
Once the peppers are cool enough to handle, remove the skins, stalk and seeds. Place the flesh in a blender along with the sautéed onion and garlic and the rest of the ingredients except the lemon juice, salt, pepper and flaked almonds
Blend until you have a rough paste, then taste and season with lemon juice, black pepper and a little salt if needed (the cheeses will probably provide enough saltiness on their own)