Pasta w/ Cilantro-Peanut Pesto

Pesto is such an amazing thing.  I can name around 5 different meals made with pesto that I know by heart and love.  It's so easy and jam packed with flavor you'd be crazy now to love it.  Making your own pesto might sound tedious, but it's really simple and great because you can change it up to add whatever flavors you like best.  This recipe is a great starting point, so try along with me!

Crush two cloves of peeled garlic.

You'll need one bunch of cilantro, reserving 1/4 cup of the leaves to serve with.

I had some leftover basil so I chopped two leaves of basil.

1/2 teaspoon of grated lime zest, with two tablespoons of lime juice.

Combine all ingredients in a food processor: garlic, cilantro, basil, red pepper flakes lime zest and juice, ginger, oils, brown sugar, and 1/4 cup of peanuts.  Pulse until it becomes a coarse paste.  Season with soy sauce and pulse to combine.  

In a large bowl toss pesto with pasta.  Top with chopped peanuts remaining and cilantro leaves.  Usually pesto tends to be a little more basil based, so this will taste a little different due to the cilantro leaves, but it's very tasty!  Great weeknight meal that's great for you.  I used whole wheat pasta and this dish only has 470 calories per serving, and one serving will be sure to fill you up.  Enjoy!

Pasta w/ Cilantro-Peanut Pesto

Serves 4

Adapted from Everyday Food Magazine

1 bunch of cilantro, reserving 1/4 cup of leaves for serving

2 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled

3/4 inch piece fresh ginger, peeled

2 basil leaves 

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

1/2 teaspoons red pepper flakes

1/2 teaspoon grated lime zest, plus 2 tablespoons juice

1 teaspoons light brown sugar

1/3 cup roasted peanuts, divided

2-3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce

3/4 pound pasta of your choice, cooked according to package directions

In a food processor, combine cilantro, garlic, ginger, vegetable and sesame oils, red-pepper flakes, basil, lime zest and juice, brown sugar, and 1/4 cup of peanuts.

Pulse until a coarse pasta forms.

Season with soy sauce and pulse to combine.

In a large bowl toss pesto with pasta.

Roughly chop remaining peanuts and sprinkle over pasta along with cilantro leaves.