Broccoli Pesto for Bread or As Side Dish
Brighten up your appetizers and side dishes with this vibrant Broccoli Pesto, a delightful twist on the classic recipe! Featuring blanched broccoli florets, fresh basil, and a zesty hint of lemon, this creamy pesto is blended to perfection with Parmesan cheese, garlic, and toasted pine nuts (or walnuts!). The quick, 15-minute prep time makes it an easy go-to for spreading on crusty bread or using as a flavorful accompaniment to roasted vegetables and grilled proteins. Packed with wholesome ingredients and bursting with fresh, nutty flavors, this versatile pesto will elevate your meals with its creamy texture and vibrant green hue. A must-try recipe for pesto lovers and a unique way to sneak more veggies into your dishes!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups Broccoli florets
- 2 large Garlic cloves
- 1 cup Fresh basil leaves
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 0.25 cup Pine nuts (or walnuts)
- 0.3 cup Olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 4 cups Water (for blanching)
- 2 cups Ice water
Instructions
Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium-sized pot.
Add the broccoli florets to the boiling water and blanch for 2-3 minutes, until they turn bright green and slightly tender.
Immediately transfer the blanched broccoli to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Let it sit for 2 minutes, then drain and pat dry with a paper towel.
In a food processor or blender, combine the blanched broccoli, garlic cloves, fresh basil leaves, Parmesan cheese, and pine nuts.
Pulse the mixture a few times to roughly chop the ingredients.
While the food processor is running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. Stop occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
Add the lemon juice, salt, and black pepper, then blend again to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Transfer the pesto to a serving bowl or airtight container. Serve immediately as a spread for bread, or refrigerate for up to 3 days if preparing in advance.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
252 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 24.3 g | 31% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.6 g | 23% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 10 mg | 3% | |
| Sodium | 432 mg | 19% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 4.6 g | 2% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.8 g | 7% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.9 g | ||
| Protein | 7.3 g | 15% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 157 mg | 12% | |
| Iron | 1.4 mg | 8% | |
| Potassium | 108 mg | 2% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
