Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Lemon Balm and Cashew Pesto

Yum
I planted a Lemon Balm plant last year and was happy to see it come back this year.  Not only did it come back, but it has GONE C-A-R-A-ZEEE!  It is a huge bush on the side of my house and may overtake the house...well, not really but it has gotten really, really large.  I love to rub my hands across it's leaves to pick up that fresh lemon scent and I love to put it in my sweet tea.  Since it is HUGE, I started searching for other uses for this prolific growing plant and I found one that I am so excited about!



LEMON BALM AND CASHEW PESTO on pasta is such a light summer meal.
It has just a hint of lemon and that nutty taste from the cashews.  Oh my gosh, you will just love it!



Originally from The Cook's Garden
Ingredients:
2 cups packed fresh lemon balm leaves
1 cup packed fresh parsley
3 tsp minced garlic
1/4 cup cashews
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup fresh, shredded Parmesan cheese
1 Tbsp lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste

Combine lemon balm, parsley and cashews in a mini food processor until chopped.
Slowly add olive oil.  Continue to pulse until blended.
Add the lemon juice and Parmesan cheese.  Pulse again.
Then add salt and pepper to taste.  Pulse until combined.




Add some more fresh shredded Parmesan, cashews and a few more lemon balm leaves to finish it off.



Serve the pesto over pasta, cooked potatoes or freeze it until later.  This lemon pesto so says summer!

Give it a try, I am sure you will love it!
Celebrate the little things that make life sweet,
Christine

You may also like:
Pesto and Goat Cheese Crostini
Pesto Chicken Sandwich



Linking up with Design Dining and DiapersSkip to My LouInside Bru Crew LifeI Heart Naptime,
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6 comments:

  1. I've never tried lemon balm, but I haven't met a pesto that I didn't like. This sounds amazing, and the cashew addition is a great idea!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Marcie @ Flavor the Moments. I too love pesto and loved the idea of using lemon balm. Wish I could share some with you! My lemon balm is spreading before my very eyes!

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  2. Stopping by from the Saturday Night Link Party, this looks awesome! I love making my own pesto, but I've never used cashews. They are my favorite, so I've got to try!

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  3. This looks so good! Pinned. Lou Lou Girls

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