Cilantro-Pistachio Pesto Recipe!
This is one of many pesto recipes I have made, and it is one of my favorites for its versatility!
*Dairy-free, gluten-free, & vegan!
*This recipe makes about 6-8 servings, give or take, and goes well with just about any protein and/or grain (tofu, fish, eggs, chicken, plant-based meat alternatives, meat, rice, quinoa, pasta, beans, tortillas, savory oats, etc).
*This pesto (and all/any other pesto recipes) are great to make ahead of time/while meal-prepping for the week, when you need a quick, healthy condiment/”sauce component” for easy weeknight meals after busy days! Store in the fridge in an air-tight container for up to 5-7 days. Alternatively, you can freeze this pesto for up to a month! A trick to make it easier to use it from frozen is to add/portion this pesto into ice cube trays for freezing (you can also store in a freezer bag/or freezer-safe container).
This recipe only takes mere minutes to make, and can be a fantastic way to tie some flavor/healthful continuity to your weekly meal-planning & prep!
Equipment:
Food Processor
Measuring Cups
Spoon
Ingredients:
1/2 cup pistachios (shelled; you could also use cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, and/or nuts/seeds of choice here instead of pistachios)
2-4 cloves of garlic
1 cup of packed fresh cilantro
1/3-1/2 cup of packed fresh basil (or Thai basil)
the juice & zest of 1 small lime (or 1/2 juice & zest of 1 large lime)
1 jalapeño pepper (seeds removed, -or- you can use pepper of choice to suit your ‘spicy preference’; you can also use 2-4oz of canned diced chilis)
1/3 cup of Extra virgin olive oil
*2 fresh green onion stalks (*optional; just the green portions of the stalks)
Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Approximately 1/2 teaspoon of salt (and/or salt to taste)
Instructions:
Place the pistachios, garlic cloves, cilantro, basil, chili pepper(s), lime juice & zest, green onions, as well as the salt & pepper, into the food processor bowl.
Blend the above-listed ingredients in the food processor, and during the blending, add in the olive oil, until you reach a smooth consistency. Scrape the sides of the food processor bowl for any unblended bits, and blend/process again as/if needed.
