Cilantro pesto question?

Question

I accidentally bought TWO huge bunches of cilantro. I don't want them to go to waste, so I thought I'd whip up some pesto. But all the recipes I'm finding include fresh basil which I don't have. I have everything else for normal pesto.

So, is there a good cilantro pesto recipe out there with no fresh basil?

Answer 1

Buy avacadoes and make guacamole? Pfft. Make Salsa!

CILANTRO PESTO

1 bunch cilantro
3 cloves garlic
1/2 c. olive oil
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 c. pine nuts (or walnuts)

Wash cilantro, dry. Mix ingredients in food processor until smooth. Chill and serve with fish or pasta as sauce or as a vegetable dip.

Answer 2

ordinarily pesto is made from basil. but according to Alton Brown on Food network pesto is more of a method.

you can also freeze the extra cilantro. i have used vacuum sealer machine and stuck extra cilantro from the garden in the freezer for winter usage.

here's one from foodnetwork you might like.

6 cloves garlic, peeled
1 bunch fresh parsley, stemmed
1 bunch fresh cilantro, stemmed
2 tablespoons almonds, toasted
4 tablespoons olive oil
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Hand chop the garlic, parsley, cilantro, and almonds. Combine the pesto mixture with the oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until well mixed. Serve as a dipping sauce with the tortitas de papas cruda y elote.


Here's another.

Cilantro pesto
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup roughly chopped cilantro leaves
1 clove garlic
1/4 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds) lightly toasted
1/2 lime, juiced
Jalapeno, to taste
Salt and pepper
Place first 4 ingredients in blender or small food processor and completely puree. Add lime juice, jalapeno, and salt and pepper, to taste.

Answer 3

I would think you can just follow a basic pesto recipe only substitute the cilantro for the basil, and maybe add a little lime juice.

Answer 4

Or get some avacodos and make guacamole. I think you can freeze that.