Mint Pesto With Cashew Nuts
This easy Mint Pesto with Cashews is a delicious and budget-friendly alternative to traditional basil pine nut pesto. Perfect for grilled lamb, pasta dishes, or as a dip!
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 140kcal
Ingredients
- 1 garlic clove
- 2 cups fresh mint stalks removed
- 2 cups fresh Italian parsley flat leaf parsley
- 1/2 cup roasted cashews
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese grated
- 1/4 tsp chili flakes adjust to taste
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp lime zest from 1 lime
- 1 tbsp lime juice from 1/2 lime
- 1/4 cup olive oil extra virgin
Instructions
- Wash the mint and parsley leaves thoroughly and pat them dry using paper towels.2 cups fresh mint, 2 cups fresh Italian parsley
- Start the food processor or stand-up blender and add the peeled garlic clove through the safety shoot while running to mince it finely.1 garlic clove
- Stop the blender or food processor and add the herbs, cashew nuts, grated parmesan cheese, chili flakes, salt, pepper, lime zest, and juice. Pulse until the mixture is well blended and starts to form a paste. You might need to scrape down the sides of the processor or blender bowl and blend again to ensure everything is well incorporated.1/2 cup roasted cashews, 1/3 cup parmesan cheese
- With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. If the pesto is too thick, you can add a bit more olive oil or 1 tbsp of water to thin it out. Blend until you reach the desired consistency.1/4 cup olive oil
- Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve the lemon pesto as a side for lamb dishes, use it as a pasta sauce, or dip for veggies and fresh bread.
Notes
Make sure the roasted cashew nuts are not salted. Reduce the salt if they are.
Adjust consistency: If the mint pesto is too thick, you can add a bit more olive oil or a splash of water to thin it out.
Storage: Store your homemade pesto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze it in an airtight container or ice cube trays. Freezing pesto in ice cube trays allows you to portion it out for easy single-serve use. To thaw, simply transfer the frozen cubes to the refrigerator overnight or thaw it at room temperature.
Nutrition
Calories: 140kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 154mg | Potassium: 205mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1794IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 103mg | Iron: 2mg
