Β Cilantro, parsley and pecans blended to create the perfect sauce for pizza, pasta and sandwiches
Help! Gardening expert needed ASAP!!
My small little herb garden has been overtaken by . . . I have no idea!
Back in the fall, I finally convinced my family to start composting all our fruit and vegetable scraps. We didn’t use any fancy chicken wire or an official composter, just a yard waste can. I set out after every meal – whether it was 6 degrees, snowing or pouring rain – to dump everything from juiced limes to that pesky celery that I can never use entirely.
This spring we tried to decide how to use this luscious (let’s be real – nasty) compost. Since I love to make basil pesto, I thought an herb garden would be the perfect use.
First, we planted basil, curry leaves, thai basil, rosemary and cilantro. Unfortunately, only the basil survived. (Oh, & how could I forget – the curry leaves did, too!)
But these random plants didn’t want those two to be lonely. At first, I thought they were just pumpkins, but now I don’t know. I’ve been through several hypotheses – spaghetti squash, cantaloupe, acorn squash, tiger stripe pumpkins. Can you help?
Since it didn’t look like I was going to make large pesto batches from our garden’s supply, I went in search for an alternative. Thus, this pesto was born. It combines cilantro, parsley and just a smidge of basil π I love to incorporate pecans and nutritional yeast. If you’d prefer to use different herbs, or even spinach, feel free. This is the best versatile recipe.
Hope you make lots of pizza and pasta with this awesome sauce!
Ingredients
- 2 cups cilantro - one large bunch
- 2 cups parsley - one large bunch
- Small handful of basil leaves - about 10 leaves
- 1/2 cup raw pecans
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 1/2 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Combine cilantro, parsley, basil. pecans, salt, garlic and nutritional yeast in food processor. Scrape down sides of processor frequently. With processor running, slowly drizzle in olive oil. Process until smooth.
Isn’t it amazing what happens when you toss random herbs together, and/or when you stretch the pesto boundaries? Parsley pesto is one of my faves – but now I have to try your version, too! Yay herbs!
Absolutely! Thanks Kate π
Sounds like you have a great herb garden, Megan! I can’t wait to plant a garden next year. This basil sounds so good! I love that you used cilantro in here! I think I would use this on just about everything!
It is delicious on everything. Thanks Gayle π
Ahhhhh I want a garden so bad…SO bad!!! Everything just DIES here!
Oh no! Maybe someday π Thanks Rebecca!
Sorry, but you’re asking the wrong person. I don’t garden, mainly because I am the worst at keeping all things green alive. I’m sorry, though! Hope you figure it out!
And this pesto looks incredible, so clearly, you have the green thumb.
Thanks Mir! I don’t garden either, so this mini garden involves lots of trial and error π
I unfortunately can’t help you with your gardening emergency, friend… I don’t have a garden since the deer would just eat it ALL. I hope you figure it out soon, though! Fingers toe-ts crossed for ya!! I am obsessed with pesto, so this is totally speaking my love language girlfriend! LOVE that you added pecans!!! GENIUS! Cheers, dear!
Ha ha! Thanks so much, Cheyanne π
We totally love pesto at our house Megan! I love how you’ve included a few different herbs and pecans! My fave! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Mary Ann! The different herbs make the tastiest pesto π
I am so bad at maintaining a garden! I planted so many things and only mint survived! oh well! Love this pesto, I can never have enough of it!
Well, at least one survived π Thanks Manali!
That is most definitely spaghetti squash.Without a doubt
We’ll see. Thanks John π
I’ve never worked with nutritional yeast before. . can’t wait to learn more about this in my class, (a lot of the instructors are vegan!)!!! I LOVE this pesto!!!!
Nutritional yeast is a great ingredient – even my cat loves it π
How gorgeous is that green hue? It looks like it would be great on flatbread, pizza, pasta and just about anything else! Wish I had a green thumb like you (and I unfortunately don’t know what type of squash or gourd those are).
You are so right, Eva! It is delicious on everything! Thank you π
I had this happen once and I was convinced it was a cucumber growing….turned out it was a cantaloupe! Just keep ’em growing and see what happens π In the meanwhile, keep making delicious pestos with the herbs! This looks great π
ha ha! Thanks Kathy π
haha well considering I have a total black thumb, I am of no use to you!! Last year, we planted mint and it literally strangled my rosemary. It was a sad day!!
But this pesto! Why, why have I never added nutritional yeast to pesto before?? I’m having issues with dairy lately and have mostly eliminated it from my diet … I so need to do this!
I think you’ll love it, Ashley! & I killed rosemary too π
My mom works at a garden center but we honestly have no idea what those might be yet. They kind of remind me of those decorative gourds that people keep outside their houses during fall. Keep us updated!! Love that you used up all the herbs to make this pesto. I’m thinking I’ll do something like that too with my basil and parsley!
Thanks for taking a look, Jessica. Hopefully we’ll figure it out! & basil and parsley sound like a great combo π
Love the gorgeous color of this pesto! I’m such a fan of nutritional yeast and it sounds perfect in here! So fresh and delicious!!
Thanks Kelly π
THIS smothered on chicken – yes please!
ha ha! Thanks π
So vibrant and delish! You’ve inspired me to venture beyond basil when I make my first pesto this summer!
You should try other herbs, Liz! Thanks π
“This spring we tried to decide how to use this luscious (letβs be real β nasty)” <—Lololol. Oh Megan, I just *know* you're always gonna give it to us, straight up! π One of the best things about you. <3
So many fascinating things growing in your garden! I'm afraid I would be of no help, whatsoever. If my mom was around, I'd ask her (she's summer vacationing right now). But hey, big congrats on the basil and curry leaves! π
This multi-herb pesto looks insanely delicious. I'm loving that brilliant green color. Okay, keep us posted on this garden mystery. Or botanical mystery–yes, that sounds cooler. π Pinning, of course! xo
ha ha! Thanks Demeter! Still don’t know what’s growing, but I’m thinking about trying to harvest one of the randos this week! Wish me luck π
We LOVE pesto, so I just made a batch of it earlier in the week to use up some of my basil. I love your idea of mixing herbs and using pecans! Such a delicious twist on the classic!
I love it, too! Thanks Blair π
That is so strange all of these things are suddenly growing! Looks like some squash to me!
Yea, I’m thinking some variety of squash, too. Thanks Shelby π
Summer is my favorite time because of veggies and fresh pesto! I love your idea of mixing herbs, it looks delicious! Would love it on some crackers!
Great idea! Thanks Pamela π
I’m in love with pesto and anything goes with me! I love the herbs you used here and the pecans — I’d use this in everything!
Thanks Marcie π
Oh, we love pesto around here! We freeze it in little cubes (ice cube tray to the rescue) and then we pull out however many cubes we need. I’d guess we have nothing short of an entire gallon-sized bag of pesto cubes in the freezer right now!
But as far as what’s growing in your garden? I have no idea! We grow quite a bit, and I’m gonna guess spaghetti squash and acorn squash…but that’s a guess. In theory, it should be something that you composted from last year…so that helps narrow it down, right? Sounds like a fun adventure to see what grows!!
Pesto ice cubes are genius! Thanks David π
YUM! I’m a big pesto lover, and this is an awesome, delicious twist on classic basil pesto.
Thanks Rahul!