Tag Archives: pesto

Parsley, Cilantro and Tarragon Pesto

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Summer is here (at least it feels like it with temperatures reaching 90 in Seattle this past weekend) and it’s a great time to grill food.

This is a unique and flavorful pesto made with parsley, cilantro and tarragon. Serve over Marinated Flank Steak or with Turkey Breakfast Patties (I will post a recipe for those on Thursday) or chicken. Enjoy! 🙂

salsa verde parsley cilantro paleo blog (2)salsa verde parsley cilantro paleo blog (1)

Ingredients

  • 1 cup olive oil
  • 1 bunch flat-leaf parsley, coarsely chopped (1 1/2 cups)
  • 1/2 bunch cilantro (3/4 cup)
  • 2 sprigs tarragon and more for garnish
  • 1 Tbsp lemon zest
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • pepper to taste

Directions

  • In a blender, puree parsley, cilantro, tarragon and olive oil until smooth.
  • Blend in lemon zest, salt and pepper
  • Serve or refrigerate in a glass jar for a few days

Thanks for the inspiration Paleo Cooking from Elana’s Pantry, originally called Salsa Verde!

dit-elle-Esther

Asparagus Pistachio Pesto

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It’s asparagus season and we are seeing a lot of beautiful crisp fresh green stalks in stores locally. If you love asparagus, lemon, garlic, olive oil and pistachios, you will LOVE this! It is totally, amazingly, delicious. This recipe directs you to blanch the asparagus quickly and then process into pesto. Perfect spring or summer appetizer or side! Enjoy! 🙂

asparagus pistachio pesto (2)asparagus pistachio pesto (1)

Ingredients

  • 1 lb asparagus, tough ends removed
  • 2-3 cloves minced garlic
  • 1/2 cup pistachios
  • 1 lemon, juiced (2 to 3 Tbsps, I used Champagne Vinegar)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground pepper, to taste
  • 3/4 cup olive oil

Directions

  • Blanch or steam asparagus until al dente and still a bold green
  • Refresh in cool water
  • Cut asparagus into 1-inch pieces
  • In food processor, pulse garlic, pistachios, lemon juice, salt and pepper a few times, then add asparagus
  • Pulse the processor to make sure mixture is not over mixed, while gradually adding olive oil
  • Process until desired consistency

Thanks PCC Natural Markets!

dit-elle-Esther

Parsley Walnut Pesto

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A great summer pesto when parsley is in season – use to pair with salmon, poultry, or mix into pasta or rice!

Blog parsley walnut pesto

Ingredients

  • 3 cups fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil (or more if desired for consistency)
  • 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • salt
  • ground black pepper
  • 3 garlic cloves, chopped

Directions

  • Combine all ingredients in food processor – process until smooth.
  • Yields about 12 tablespoons

dit-elle-Esther

Tunisian Pesto

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A delicious pesto made with cilantro, parsley, almonds and olive oil. Excellent with tortilla chips, vegetable sticks or grilled shrimp.

blog pesto genovese 2 Blog pesto genovese 1

Ingredients

  • 2 cups packed fresh cilantro
  • 1 cup packed fresh parsley
  • 1/4  c almonds
  • 1 or 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Directions

  • Combine cilantro, parsley, almonds, garlic and salt in food processor and blend
  • Add oil in a stream while the above is blending until smooth

Note: This freezes very well if you have leftovers – fill airtight container and add some more olive oil on top

dit-elle-Esther

Pesto Baked Salmon

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Baked salmon is one of our weekly staples as the kids both love it (so far! :)). I usually drizzle some olive oil on and bake as is, but a nice variation is to top with fresh pesto and bake it. Easy dinner? Yes please! 🙂

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Blog pestosalmon2

Ingredients

  • 1lb slab of salmon
  • 1 Tbsp (or more) pesto

Directions

  • Oil baking dish
  • Cover salmon fillet with pesto
  • Bake @ 350 for 25 minutes

dit-elle-Esther

Roasted Root Vegetables with Pesto

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The sweet flavor of carrots and parsnips balance out the bite of Brussels sprouts and turnips. Hot and roasted and tossed with pesto – yum!Blog pestoveggies-1

Ingredients

  • 2 cups carrots (cut in 1″ slices)
  • 2 cups parsnips (cut in 1″ slices)
  • 2 cups turnip slices, 1″ cubes
  • 2 cups trimmed and halved Brussels sprouts
  • 1 shallot, peeled and quartered
  • 1 onion, cut in 8 wedges
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • Salt/pepper to taste
  • Pesto

Directions

  1. Oven to 425*
  2. Toss vegetables with olive oil
  3. Sprinkle w/salt and pepper, toss
  4. Bake @ 425* for 1 hour or until browned
  5. Toss vegetables with basil

Super mom tip: Make pesto in a big batch and freeze in 1/3-1/2 cup portions. Pull out and defrost in the fridge or microwave a day in advance for this type of recipe.

dit-elle-Esther

Chicken parmesan with pesto

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IMG_6106This is a super easy-to-make chicken parmesan. Pesto is a delicious addition to this classic dish.

Ingredients

  • Coconut or olive oil
  • Crushed fresh garlic or garlic powder
  • Red pepper flakes
  • 4 chicken breasts
  • Marinara or tomato sauce, enough to cover chicken
  • Pesto
  • Mozzarella cheese
  • Parmesan cheese

Directions

  • Put olive oil or coconut oil in large baking dish (e.g. pyrex glass dish) and heat up in oven till it melts or warms slightly
  • Add red pepper flakes and freshly minced garlic or garlic powder, the heat will start to release the aromas of the spices
  • Place chicken breasts side by side in dish
  • Sprinkle on some mozzarella and parmesan
  • Cover with marinara sauce and a dollop of pesto
  • Sprinkle on rest of cheese
  • Cover dish with tinfoil and bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes, then remove tinfoil and bake for another 10 minutes at 375 or until meat thermometer registers 160 degrees.

Serve with ceasar salad and broccoli for an almost-paleo dinner (omit cheese to make it strict paleo).

Super mom tip: Double, triple or quadruple this recipe and freeze in smaller batches. Those nights when you don’t want to cook – whip out of the freezer, thaw on the defrost setting on the microwave, steam some veggies and voila, dinner is served!dit-elle-Esther

Basil Pesto

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Basil pesto – excellent with fresh cut vegetables, cooked chicken, as a marinade, and so much more!GreenYumminess-2GreenYumminess-1

Ingredients

  • 2 cups basil leaves
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/3 cup pine nuts, walnuts, or pumpkin seeds
  • 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, sliced
  • salt to taste

Directions

  • put garlic and salt in food processor and pulse
  • add basil leaves and blend
  • add olive oil in stream while it’s blending
  • add nuts or seeds and blend well
  • add more olive oil if needed for consistency

Paleo tip: omit cheese, it’s still super yummy!

Super mom tip: make a big batch, fill small containers or an ice-cube tray, and freeze.dit-elle-Esther