Almond and lemon pesto is a delicious and fragrant seasoning that will make everyone in the family happy. I can call it a fresh and alternative version of the classic Genoese pesto, which I love, but in this case, the aromas of the ingredients are intoxicating. If you want to surprise yourself, you can also replace the lemon with orange, but why even mention it, a triumph.
It is excellent for dressing fresh and dry pasta, long or short, rice or gnocchi, but also spread on crostini. When you taste the almond and lemon pesto you will discover that you can pair it with any dish, due to its delicate character. I tried it for dressing pumpkin gnocchi and it was much appreciated. Moreover, it is quick to prepare and can be stored in the fridge in an airtight glass jar, where you will top up with oil on the surface every time you take out portions.
- Cost: Affordable
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: a small jar of 8.8 oz
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 1 lemon (organic)
- 2.1 oz blanched almonds
- 1.4 oz pine nuts (which you can replace with an equal amount of almonds)
- 2.5 oz Grana Padano cheese, grated (can be replaced with grated Parmesan cheese)
- 1.8 oz basil (fresh)
- 1 bunch parsley
- 0.42 cup olive oil (Extra Virgin Olive)
- 1 clove garlic (optional)
- 2 pinches salt (to taste)
- 1 pinch black pepper (freshly ground)
Steps
1 – Wash the lemon, strictly organic, and with a sharp knife remove the peel, without reaching the white part of the lemon. Squeeze the lemon juice, strain it and set it aside.
2 – Put the lemon zest, blanched almonds, and pine nuts in a blender or mixer and chop everything finely. Stop occasionally to prevent the mixture from overheating.
3 – Add the other ingredients, including lemon juice, and finish chopping until the mixture is fine and creamy. If necessary, add another tablespoon of oil and adjust the salt to your taste.
4 – Store the pesto in the fridge in an airtight glass jar pouring a drizzle of olive oil on the surface, which you will top up every time you take a portion of almond and lemon pesto.
Use it to dress first courses or simply on bruschetta or crostini, it’s delicious.
