Introduction: Pesto Without Nuts
My boyfriend is allergic to nuts, so I had to figure out how to make pesto without the pine nuts. This one is so good that you won't even miss them. :)
It'll take about five minutes to make. It also makes enough pesto for two 16 oz packages of pasta, so it's cheap too!
Step 1: Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup parmesan (my container had a weight of 2.5 oz)
- 1 bunch basil
- 1/2 cup olive oil (start with 1/4 cup and work your way up)
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1-2 tsp lemon juice
- salt and pepper to taste
Step 2: Prep.
Pull all the leaves off your basil stems and roughly chop your garlic.
Chopping the garlic is not entirely necessary, but I like to give it a head start so there's no large pieces left.
Step 3: Process!
Put the basil, cheese, and garlic in your food processor. Set the speed to low and drizzle in your olive oil. Start with 1/4 cup, check the consistency, and add more if you like.
I normally add the full 1/2 cup, because I like my pesto to be more runny. :)
Step 4: Add Salt, Pepper, Lemon
Scrape down the sides and add a generous pinch of salt, some pepper, and a bit of lemon juice. Pulse this together and taste. Keep adding and pulsing until you like the way it tastes. :)
And now you're done. Easy, right?
Step 5: Eat Some, Freeze the Rest!
This recipe makes about a cup, and 1/2 cup is enough to cover a big pot of pasta - so you'll have a good amount left over. It freezes very well - you can either freeze it in one lump, or freeze it in an ice cube tray.
23 Comments
6 years ago
You mayyyy want to edit your recipe and mention that you only use the leaves (maybe something like "discard stems"). Very newbie cooks like me need that extra tip :)
7 years ago
It's amazing how many ways you can make pesto. I just made one the other day with cashews and no cheese because my housemates are vegan, and it was great! I'll try this too. I'm making a collection of all the good recipes :)
7 years ago
I ran across this recipe of having no nuts in the pesto because I didn't have any on hand. This turned out great and you don't miss the nuts. This is a keeper!
7 years ago
Sure wish I could get this. I have signed up, tried to download recipe, nothing happened. Then tried to join pro but it didn't take me anywhere that I could print. Sure looks good but can't use without ability to print.
7 years ago
Sooooooo great! It's a "pistou"!
8 years ago on Introduction
8 years ago on Introduction
8 years ago on Introduction
Great recipe, super easy and tastes divine! Thanks for sharing!
8 years ago on Introduction
Pine nuts are not nuts at all. They are the edible seeds of pines. Your boyfriend might like to ask his allergist if he could eat these seeds. I'm sure the pesto with no nuts (some people use walnuts or pistachios) or any pine nuts (seeds) is quite tasty too though.
Reply 8 years ago
Hi td.mi.5
My son is allergic to all nuts plus legumes and pinenuts ( even though they are technically a seed).
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
My boyfriend ended up in the ER a few years back due to a pasta dish that included them - pine nuts had the same effect on him as peanuts and tree nuts. He had never been told about pine nuts, but as it turns out many people who have severe nut allergies are also told to avoid pine nuts by their allergists these days. I wish we would have known well before!
8 years ago on Introduction
OO thank you for this recipe! :D
9 years ago on Introduction
My son has nut allergies so thanks so much for sharing your recipe. Can't wait to try this!
10 years ago on Introduction
This was sooooo good! I always forget to buy pine nuts, but I have a basil plant...this is my new go-to! Thanks! :)
11 years ago on Introduction
REAL REAL REAL italian (northern) pesto has no nuts...so. Put down that this is grade A =)
sfinuto
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
... u mad bro?
http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pesto
http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinoli
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Blood sample?
10 years ago on Introduction
Remember, only Parmigiano Reggiano or Grana Padano for pesto .
11 years ago on Introduction
If allergies are the problem you could try to substitute pine nuts with almonds or roasted sunflower seeds. I say almonds because they are the "nuttiest" thing I can think of which my girlfriend who is also allergic to nuts can eat.
I never tried this in pesto but it might be worth looking into.
11 years ago on Introduction
This will be the one I will make..I despise pine nuts..