What is the difference between pesto and sauce?
What is pesto?
Pesto is an uncooked, paste-like seasoning from Italian cuisine and is traditionally made from fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil and Parmesan or Pecorino cheese.
The name comes from the Italian “pestare,” which means “to crush” – the ingredients are pressed back in the mortar and processed into a thick paste.
Pesto is used raw and not heated or cooked; it is used directly on hot pasta or as a spread and dip.
What is sauce?
“Sauce” (also called “sauce”) is a generic term for liquid to creamy preparations that are used as a seasoning accompaniment to many dishes – whether hot or cold, sweet or savory.
Sauces are usually made by cooking or thickening (for example, with flour or egg yolk) various liquids and ingredients. Many classic sauces are cooked, but can also be prepared cold (e.g., vinaigrette).
They serve as flavor carriers, give food juiciness and bind the individual ingredients of a dish together.
Conclusion
Pesto can be considered a strong variation of a cold sauce, but its production and consistency clearly distinguish it from classic sauces.