Cashew, coriander and mint pesto
A zesty Indian-style pesto with lime and toasted cashews
A bright green pesto of fresh coriander and mint, made creamy with toasted cashews and sharp with lime juice. Toss it through pasta, swirl it into rice or use it as a sandwich spread.
- Total time
- 15 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 8
Ingredients
Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Toast 3 ⅞ oz cashew nuts in a dry frying pan over a medium-low heat for 4–5 minutes, stirring, until golden. Let them cool.
5 minStep 2: Blend 9 oz fresh coriander, ½ oz fresh mint leaves, the cashews, ¼ cup lime juice and ¾ tsp salt until smooth.
Step 3: With the motor running, pour in ½ cup extra virgin olive oil gradually until the pesto is the consistency you like.
Step 4: Toss through freshly cooked, drained pasta with a splash of the cooking water, or stir a spoonful into a bowl of vegetable soup or an omelette.
Step 5: Store it in a clean jar, covered with a thin film of olive oil, in the fridge for up to a week. For longer, spoon it into a sealable container and freeze; you can scrape out a single spoonful without thawing the lot.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 215 kcal
- Protein
- 4 g
- Carbs
- 7 g
- Fat
- 20 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does cashew, coriander and mint pesto take?
- About 15 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 5 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 8 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of cashew nuts?
- Almonds or peanuts, same amount.
- What can I use instead of fresh coriander?
- Flat-leaf parsley with a little mint (for people who dislike coriander too).
Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to cook it.
Rate this recipe
Sign in to rate and review this recipe.
You might also like
Hot pizza gravy
A big batch of spicy pizza sauce with fresh oregano, thyme and basil, plus ginger, garlic and green chilli for an Indian-style kick. The tomatoes are cooked down, strained and simmered until thick, so the sauce won't make the base soggy. Freeze it in portions for quick pizzas, or use 2 tsp dried herbs in place of fresh.
Boiled pasta
The basic method for any dried pasta, from penne to spaghetti. A large pan of salted boiling water keeps the pasta from sticking, and you cook it only until just done, with a little bite left. Use it in salads, bakes or with any sauce.
Pasta and eggplant
Rigatoni tossed in a thick tomato sauce with soft aubergine, celery and garlic, with an optional splash of brandy for depth, and topped with grated cheddar.




