If you’ve never heard of pesto with almonds , you’re not alone .
It’s one of those things that tastes incredible regardless of whether or not you’ve tried it before.
The taste is the first thing you’ll notice, with a subtle blend of sweet basil and salty nuts.
But beyond the taste , the fact that it’s almost impossible to make a poor-tasting pesto with almonds is a huge selling point .
And that’s just one of the reasons people use it as a side dish or an ingredient in countless recipes.
What ingredients do you need to make pesto with almonds ?
Depending on how you’re using it, there are a few different options for making pesto with almonds .
In most cases, you’ll just need a blender or food processor.
If you’re making pesto with almonds as a spread, use fresh nuts and plenty of basil .
For example, if you want to make pesto on toast with goats cheese, use three or four cloves of garlic, knead in your goat cheese, then add a handful of basil leaves and half an avocado.
You can also make pesto with almonds by blending pine nuts or walnuts with some olive oil to create a creamy almond spread.
This can be used instead of traditional mayonnaise or oil-based dressings.
If you want to make pesto with almonds as a dip with pasta, keep things simple.
Use the same amount of garlic and basil as you would for spreading on toast.
If you’re adding it to salads, go for a mix of fresh spinach, tomatoes and almonds .
How long does it take to prepare pesto with almonds ?
If you’re looking for a one-pot pesto with almonds recipe that can be made in minutes , this isn’t it.
But if you’re looking to make a finished pesto with almonds that takes some time to prepare and requires some hands-on time, then this is the recipe for you .
The pesto with almonds recipe uses two basic ingredients: basil and almonds.
However, they’re each layered on top of one another to create an amazing flavor experience .
Basil is used to both add flavor and texture, while almonds add the nuttiness we all expect from pesto.
After these flavors have been blended together and the pesto has been spread on sandwiches, or eaten as an ingredient in pasta or pizza recipes, the next step is to drizzle it with olive oil.
What type of almond should be used in a pesto with almonds recipe ?
An almond is a great choice for a pesto with almonds recipe, since the nut has such an interesting taste to it .
It’s generally considered to be one of the most versatile nuts when it comes to recipes, and while they aren’t the tastiest food in the world , they are definitely delicious.
Also , when it comes to making pesto with almonds, you’re not stuck with just any kind of almond.
Almonds come in many varieties and flavors, but the one that is best for pesto is sweet almond.
The most common type of almond used in desserts and baking treats is sweet almond.
Can you substitute other nuts in a pesto with almonds recipe ?
If you see almonds or other nuts in a pesto recipe, let’s talk substitutions.
First up, there are naturally vegan pesto recipes that use coconut as a substitute for cheese.
Almond hips and cashews can be used to make a vegan pesto with almond milk.
And walnuts can be substituted for almonds when making any of the vegan pestos we’ll talk about in the next section .
If you’re looking for a nut-free recipe, here are some of our top recommendations:
- Pesto with cashews is a delicious option with traditional pesto.
- Pesto with hemp seeds provides protein and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Pesto with hazelnuts will help you get more nutrients from their omega-3s and B vitamins.
Is there a vegan version of pesto with almonds ?
A vegan version of pesto with almonds is possible.
If you’re trying to adhere to a vegan diet , you’ll have to use almonds that are processed without the use of animal products .
If you’re not able to use plant-based yogurt for the pesto base, you can use almond milk instead .
You may have to adjust the flavor profile a little bit — using almond milk will change the texture of your pesto , which may affect how it works in some recipes.
What is the best way to store pesto with almonds ?
The best way to store pesto with almonds is in the freezer , where it will stay tasty for up to six months .
If you’d rather not end up with a tub of pesto that you won’t be able to use before its expiration date, you can also keep it in the refrigerator for one to two weeks.
How can you make pesto with almonds more flavorful ?
The flavor of pesto with almonds is still very good for people who haven’t tried it yet.
But if you’re a diehard pesto lover, there are some things you can do to make your pesto even more delicious .
First off, you should use the best quality ingredients.
The most important question is the species, origin, and growing season.
Basil plants are usually available in early summer and in the fall, but if you want to make pesto with almonds in spring or winter, look for basil grown in the Mediterranean region.
Next, you need to choose the right nuts.
You don’t want any cashews or other nuts that won’t add flavor to the pesto.
You also shouldn’t use raw nuts because they’ll just sit there and not contribute anything.
Instead, choose almonds.
These have a nice balance of sweet and salty flavors that really come through in the finished product .
What type of pasta goes best with pesto with almonds ?
Pasta goes really well with pesto.
Pesto is a sauce that complements a wide range of pasta varieties, from delicate ravioli to meaty lasagna .
The nuttiness of the almonds pairs really well with the mild flavors of the basil and garlic , so you want to go for the strongest-tasting vegetables that you can get your hands on.
While spinach and arugula are great choices (and easy to grow in your own garden), if you plan on serving pesto with almonds as a side dish at your next family dinner, try out a few different combinations.
Start off by tossing cooked penne or spaghetti noodles with some olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until it’s al dente.
As soon as it’s ready, toss it with half of your pesto recipe.
Now it’s time to add one handful of almonds to the pot.
Warm them up in a small pan over low heat, stirring often to prevent burning.
When they’re soft, use a potato masher or microplane grater to grind them into a paste in about three parts olive oil to one part almond oil.
How much pesto with almonds should you use per serving ?
The best way to figure out how much pesto with almonds you should use is to first determine how many servings you need.
You can do this by measuring the amount of liquid ingredients in your recipe , or by adding up the amount of dry ingredients and dividing it by 2.
Are there any health benefits to eating pesto with almonds ?
The pesto with almonds recipe is a great source of both protein and fat, and it’s also extremely rich in vitamins and minerals.
Most importantly, the variety of nuts used in this pesto, including almonds, walnuts, pine nuts, and sunflower seeds, provides you with a multitude of health benefits.
Almonds have a high concentration of vitamin E and healthy fats , which keeps your heart healthy.
Also, they contain the B vitamins which are essential for good heart health.
Pine nuts are a great source of potassium and manganese , which boosts your metabolism.
Walnuts provide you with oleic acid, which helps lower cholesterol levels.
Sunflower seeds are one of the few sources of omega-3 fatty acids that keep your liver healthy.
The sharp flavor also makes them a delicacy that’s perfect for adding to salads.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup toasted almonds
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 ½ cups fresh basil leaves
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
- ½ cup olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- You may rapidly toast almonds in the oven or on the stove if they aren’t already done. On the stovetop, put the nuts in a dry skillet and heat for 4 to 5 minutes at medium heat. When using the oven, warm it to 350°F and roast the nuts for 7 to 8 minutes on a baking sheet.
- In a food processor or blender, combine the garlic cloves, parmesan cheese, almonds, basil, salt, and pepper. Process/pulse everything until it comes together and begins to resemble a paste. If necessary, scrape down the sides to bring everything together.
- As you proceed, sprinkle the olive oil in gradually. To blend, you can also add the olive oil in smaller amounts. Taste it, and if more salt is required, add it.
- Frozen food can be kept for up to a week in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Enjoy!
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My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.