I love cilantro, but I can hardly ever use an entire bunch before it goes bad. So, when my CSA box showed up with a beautiful bunch of cilantro last week, I knew I couldn’t let it go to waste. Enter cilantro pesto.
Green deliciousness.
I threw the cilantro, some walnuts, a jalapeno (why not?), ample parmesan and olive oil, and some other odds and ends into the food processor, and, after a little tasting and adjustment, the result was delicious.
We used the pesto as a spread on a grilled cheese sandwich, and it was divine (and an easy weeknight dinner, to boot). The leftovers served as a sauce for some frozen ravioli a couple of days later — also delicious and easy. This is definitely going to be my go-to use for cilantro in the future.
Spicy Cilantro Pesto
1 bunch cilantro, washed
1 jalapeno, stem end removed and halved*
1/2 cup walnuts**
1 clove garlic, peeled
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup grated parmesan
1 tsp salt
Juice of one lime
Combine the cilantro, jalapeno, garlic, and walnuts in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add the olive oil in a stream with the mixer running. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula and pulse until well combined. Add the salt and lime juice and pulse until combined.
* You can also remove the seeds and veins if you don’t want too much of a kick. Wuss.
** You can always substitute pine nuts, pecans, almonds, or pretty much any nuts of your choosing. For a nut-free pesto, you can even use sunflower seeds.
Delicious! I’ve used cilantro in my chimichurri recipe instead of parsley which makes for a great combo with hummus.
Mmmm… that sounds awesome!
This sounds so good! I was about to leave for the grocer’s, so I will have to add a few items to the list. Thanks!
Hope you like! Let me know how it turns out for you.
I am zee Wuss. I shall go for zee less spicy version. Other than that, it looks really good.
Heh. Well, I’d wager it’s just as good less spicy, but I have to work on my Texas cred here.
Sounds awesome!
I’ve done a cilantro pecan pesto – love the idea of lime and jalepeno with it. Next time I get it in my CSA box I am all over it!
Awesome! You’ll have to let me know what you think. Cilantro pecan pesto sounds great, too!
Tried it, loved it. Keep it coming. Thank you
So happy! And of course I will.
I admit to being a bit of basil pesto snob and I was a bit skeptical about it, but as we have a cilantro plant out my back door going nuts, I thought I would try it. I have to admit it was super tasty!! I have been a bit obsessed with grilled cheese lately and have been having a good time putting different things in it. It makes a great meal for lunch that Walter and I can both eat!
I’m so glad you tried it and liked it! Did Walter try this one? Did the spice bother him at all? I wonder, since Nora seems to be handling spicy things better and better nowadays, but I was still reluctant to share this one with her!
I did feed it to Walter and he liked it a lot. The spice didn’t bother him much. However, he seems to be handling most spicy things and ate a good chunk of a spicy Indian dish too a week ago. So give Nora some – I bet she will think it is tasty. I also diluted the pesto down with meyer lemon juice to make a quick salad dressing the other night when I discovered I was out! So many uses for it!