This simple homemade Pistachio Basil Pesto can be prepared in 5 minutes with readily available ingredients. It's the perfect sauce to elevate the flavors in your favorite al dente cooked pasta, pizza sauce for a gourmet twist, infuse it in a risotto or anything fusion.
This versatile Italian pesto is perfect for grilled meats or seafood, as a pasta sauce, spread for sandwiches or even salad dressing. Moreover, it can be used in fusion foods just like Pistachio Pesto Shrimp Wontons and Pistachio Pesto Shrimp Pasta.
Jump to:
How to bring this sauce together?
Start off by choosing a fresh bunch of Basil, handful of pistachios, garlic, Parmesan, extra-virgin olive oil and seasoning. Bring all these ingredients together in a blender or a food processor to create a smooth creamy consistency.
Adding pistachios to your traditional pesto will bring out the richness and add a slight crunch to the dish. Roasted pistachios will add a nuttier essence, while raw pistachios have a milder flavor. Toasting the pistachios in a dry pan can be a game changer. You can add more garlic based on your preference but remember to use only extra-virgin olive oil and fresh basil for a vibrant green color.
Parmesan cheese can be substituted with Pecorino Romano cheese for a sharp flavor, similarly you can use Grana Padano for a slightly milder flavor. Season the Pesto sauce based on the cheese you prefer using. Blend these ingredients to either get a smooth texture for sauces and dips, or a bit crunchy texture for spreads and pasta.
Don’t forget to get creative with other variations of Pistachio Pesto and try incorporating it in different fusion recipes.
Ingredients
- Pistachios
- Fresh basil leaves
- Garlic
- Parmesan cheese
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
See recipe card for quantities.
Variations
You can add the below ingredients for different variations to Pistachio Pesto:
- Lemon Zest
- Spinach
- Arugula
- Pine nuts
- Other fresh herbs
- Smoked paprika
- Chopped kalamata olives
FAQs
Pistachio Basil Pesto can last for up to a week in the refrigerator or for a much longer period if frozen.
Yes, you can make a vegan version by omitting the Parmesan cheese and by using a plant-based alternative.
Add in more olive oil if the Pesto is too thick, similarly, you can add in more pistachios or Parmesan if it's too thin.
Related Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
- Ajvar Recipe (Balkan Roasted Red Pepper Relish)
- Roasted Tomato Salsa (Salsa Tatemada)
- Aji Verde
- Baba Ganoush
Fusion Recipes
Try out some of our specialty recipes:
- Jerk Chicken Quesadilla
- Sumac Fries
- Crispy Brussels Sprouts Recipe (Indian style)
- Jerk Shrimp Pasta (Rasta Pasta Recipe)
Recipe
Pistachio Basil Pesto
Ingredients
- 1 cup pistachios
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 3 cloves garlic
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- salt to taste
- pepper
Instructions
- Blend all the listed ingredients to a smooth paste. Add more pistachios or Parmesan cheese for a thicker texture or more extra-virgin olive oil for a runny texture.
Comments
No Comments