Robot Culinaire

"Robot culinaire" is the French translation for "food processor". So says the box of my new KitchenAid. I am trying it out on this leisurely Labor Day. Here are two fantastic recipes I have discovered thus far:

Pesto (from Epicurious)

Makes about 1 1/3 cups.

Ingredients:
3 large garlic cloves
1/2 cup pine nuts
2 oz Parmigiano-Reggiano, coarsely grated (2/3 cup)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3 cups loosely packed fresh basil
2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

With food processor running, drop in garlic and finely chop. Stop motor and add nuts, cheese, salt, pepper, and basil, then process until finely chopped. With motor running, add oil, blending until incorporated.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kalamata Olive Tapenade (from Food Network)

2 cups pitted Kalamata olives 2 tablespoons capers 3 anchovy fillets (I left these out) Juice of one lemon 2 cloves of garlic 1 tablespoon fresh thyme 1 tablespoon fresh oregano 1/2 cup of olive oil Freshly ground black pepper In a food processor, combine all the ingredients except the cherry tomatoes. Pulse until all ingredients are well combined. Season with freshly ground black pepper. This is yummy on crusty bread.