Cilantro Pesto

Jump to Recipe

My local grocery store only sells cilantro in large batches, so when I buy it for a recipe, I always have a large amount left over. It doesn’t cost too much, but I hate wasting food, so I went searching for other recipes that I could create to use up the cilantro. I usually buy it to make my salsa, but most recently when I had some left over, I decided to make a cilantro pesto with it. Pesto is a sauce is traditionally made with crushed pine nuts, basil and olive oil, but this recipe uses cilantro instead of the basil. It gives it a fresh taste. I also didn’t have pine nuts on hand, so I used almonds, and it turned out delicious.

As a Physician Assistant I’m frequently counseling patients on dietary changes to improve their cholesterol and heart health, and increasing healthy fats in their diet is a great way to do that. Almonds and olive oil both are considered healthy fats because they consist of monounsaturated fats. I figured I should work on “practicing what I preach” and that was part of the reason I decided to try this recipe.

I used my Cuisinart food processor, which is a huge time saver. Because this recipe is basically pureed, you can dump everything in at once and run it, then add seasonings to taste and be done. I added my leftover cilantro (about 2 cups). You can throw the whole cilantro piece in there, stem and all, because you’re pureeing it. The stems provide a little stronger flavor than the leaves do. Add in about 3 cloves of fresh garlic, 1 cup of almonds, 1/2 cup of olive oil and 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese. Blend until smooth. Then add salt to taste.

You can also add more olive oil if it needs to be thinner, or more Parmesan cheese for more flavor.

I ended up adding more olive oil and Parmesan cheese after this picture, to thin and add more flavor. I used this with pasta and chicken, but you could also use it as a sauce for seafood or pork; you could add mayo and use it as a sandwich spread, or add sour cream to use it as a sauce for Mexican dishes. You could stir it into hummus to add some flavor, or add some lime juice and use it with Spanish rice. It’s a healthy sauce that can be tweaked to use in a lot of dishes. And, if you have too much, you can spoon it into an ice cube tray and freeze, then transfer to a freezer safe bag until ready to use.

Cilantro Pesto

  • 2 cups of cilantro leaves (packed)
  • 1 cup of almonds
  • 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese
  • 6 garlic cloves (peeled)
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon of salt (adjust to taste)

Add the first 5 ingredients into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Add salt to taste. You can add more olive oil if the sauce needs to be thinner, or more Parmesan cheese to thicken or add more flavor. Serve with pasta, chicken, seafood or pork, or see some more serving ideas above. Enjoy!

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Related Post

66 thoughts on “Cilantro Pesto”

  1. 68wim seems like a fun place to hang out and play. The community aspect seems big, which is cool. Give it a look for some new friends and games! Check the site 68wim.

  2. Hey, Rwandan gamers! Betwinnerrwanda is worth a look if you’re searching for a new platform. The sports betting odds are really competitive, and they have a good selection of casino games too. Definitely give betwinnerrwanda a try.

  3. I spent years complaining about fake casino reviews until I actually played on ar1xcasino and saw the difference. The promotions come with fair play requirements and the live chat agents actually know what they are talking about. My Friday nights finally have a new routine and my wallet is happy about it. Check it out now ar1xcasino

  4. I appreciate how straightforward their promotion rules are compared to other sites I have tried. No hidden rollover traps and the game library updates regularly with fresh titles. Withdrawal limits feel fair for everyday players and the site loads fast even on older phones. A refreshing change from the usual flashy casinos out there. icombet

  5. Finally a site that caters to players in South America with reliable payment methods. I appreciate how transparent the terms are and how fast the payouts go straight to my bank account. The live dealer section is particularly well optimized for my mobile connection. Thank you for keeping things simple and fair. coobetchile

  6. I’ve been playing here for a few weeks now and the payout speed is actually impressive. Definitely one of my favorite spots to unwind. Check out phwin7 for a great experience!

  7. Managing my bankroll has never been easier thanks to this platform. The dashboard gives me a clear overview of my balance and I love how transparent the transaction history is. Payments arrive within minutes and the support chat is always polite and helpful. A trustworthy companion for my free time. mygmp99

  8. This is hands down the most consistent platform I have used this year. The odds are competitive and I actually feel respected as a player. Highly recommend giving it a try this month. gt999bet

  9. Downloaded the app on my phone and it runs flawlessly even on older devices. The promotions come in every week and the game catalog keeps growing. Support agents are knowledgeable and solve issues before I even finish my first question. A genuinely solid platform for anyone looking to play smart. a2betapp

  10. Finally found a casino that actually understands what we players need in the Philippines. Cashouts land in my e wallet within minutes and the game selection is packed with both classic fruit machines and the newest 3d slots. I appreciate how the bonus terms are written in straightforward language without hidden traps and how live chat feels like talking to a real person. A reliable spot that keeps me coming back every weekend. ph777panalo

  11. Playing here feels like having a VIP lounge in your home because the selection of sports and casino games is top notch. I really appreciate how quickly they process my cashouts and how friendly the support crew always is. Come and experience the thrill yourself at fun88chile

  12. I’ve been trying out a few platforms lately and this one really stands out for its speed. Everything loads quickly and the interface is super intuitive. Definitely a top choice for me now. Check out ph999php

  13. I’ve been using this site for a few weeks now and the experience is pretty smooth. The payouts are fast and the interface is very user-friendly. Highly recommend we88global to anyone looking for a reliable spot.

Leave a Reply