The kids were playing in the other room while I was making this pesto. All of a sudden they went really quiet, and a moment later they both walked into the kitchen to ask what smelled so good! I’m telling you, make this pesto and your kitchen will smell like Italy! Fresh basil and cilantro, garlic and olive oil .. these flavours were just meant to be together! The best thing is that you can add it to to everything .. pastas, zoodles, salads, wraps and I even used it to marinate my chicken and salmon! :)
Traditional pesto calls for just basil, but I always have so much cilantro in the fridge that I thought this would be a good way to use it up!
It’s super easy to whip up in your food processor and a great thing to make every few weeks so you always have a batch to throw in and add a little more flavour to your meals.
Ingredients:
1.5 cups Cilantro
1.5 cups basil
1/4 cups Pine Nuts
1/4 cups Olive Oil
1 teaspoon Lemon Zest
1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1/4 cup Pecorino Romano Cheese, grated
Salt + Pepper to Taste
Method:
In a skillet over medium heat, add the pine nuts and toast until golden.
Remove from heat to cool.
In a blender or food processor, add the cilantro and basil, pine nuts, olive oil, zest, juice and garlic.
Pulse until a thick paste forms.
Stir in the cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste.
You can store in an airtight container in the fridge. See below for my Pesto Chicken recipe, but you can also add to pastas, salads and sandwiches.
Pesto Chicken:
Just add a few tablespoons of the pesto to your chopped chicken breast. Mix and pan fry with a little olive oil till chicken is cooked through. You could use the chicken to top your pasta, add it to a wrap or salad, or just have the chicken with a side of brown rice and veggies. Enjoy! :)
