This staple sauce in our cupboards perfectly sublimates our pasta and so many other recipes. Why not try a homemade pesto with a great budget-friendly alternative?
Pesto, whether green or red, is the ultimate ally for lazy evenings, students, and all food lovers. But when making it at home, the price of pine nuts can be a real shock !
It was time to find a delicious alternative to avoid falling back on store-bought jars!
I turned to a version that is just as gourmet but much less expensive: cashew nuts. While still a premium product, they are significantly more affordable.
With this recipe requiring only 30 g of cashews, making your pesto at home becomes more profitable and, of course, tastes much better!
Mortar or blender?
Not everyone has the space or budget for a blender. Furthermore, to create a truly authentic homemade pesto, the ideal method is to use a mortar and pestle. If you have the choice, go for the mortar; otherwise, a blender will do the job perfectly well.
Homemade cashew nut pesto recipe
- Prep time: 15 min
- Serves: 2 people
Ingredients:
- 1/2 clove of garlic
- 1 bunch of fresh basil
- 30 g of cashew nuts
- 7.5 cl of olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt (fleur de sel)
Preparation: Wash the basil thoroughly. Place the fresh basil leaves in a blender or mortar. Add the cashew nuts, garlic, olive oil, and salt.
Process or crush the mixture until you reach your desired consistency. Pour the sauce into a jar and keep it in the fridge or use it immediately to elevate your favorite dishes.
Recipe ideas using your pesto
Pesto is a versatile condiment originally from Liguria, a beautiful region in northwestern Italy. While it is famous with pasta, you can also use it to enhance many other meals:
- As a base for a gourmet pizza instead of tomato sauce.
- Spread on toasted sourdough with cherry tomatoes and mozzarella.
- Mixed into a fresh potato or pasta salad for a summer picnic.
- To flavor roasted vegetables or a piece of grilled chicken.
For another eco-friendly and zero-waste variation, you can even use carrot tops to replace the basil in your next homemade batch.
