Why you’ll love pistachio pesto

• Quick: You can whip up a pesto in less than 10 minutes!
• Versatile: Pesto can be used in so many delicious ways! Add it to pasta, top chicken with the pesto, or, use the pesto as a pizza sauce.
• Affordable: Instead of basil and pine nuts, we swap for parsley and pistachios, which can be more affordable at the grocery store.

Pistachio pesto ingredients

• Pistachios: I like to use roasted, salted pistachio nuts for a good flavor base.
• Parsley: Fresh parsley is a must for this recipe; dried herbs will not work.
• Garlic: Just one small garlic clove is needed
• Olive oil: Extra-virgin olive oil is what brings a pesto sauce together
• Lemon: Lemon juice brightens up the pesto and balances the sauce
• Ground pepper: Rounds out the flavors
• Parmesan cheese: Traditional pesto includes parmesan to add saltiness and bring texture to the pesto
• Salt to taste

Is pistachio pesto better than pine nut pesto?

Pistachio pesto and pine nut pesto are both delicious in their own ways. A pine nut pesto is fairly traditional and generally made with fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, extra-virgin olive oil, and Parmesan cheese. So, if basil is a favorite herb of yours, you may enjoy it. This pistachio pesto is a nice change from the traditional and is more affordable since pine nuts can be expensive.

How to make pistachio pesto

With a food processor, pesto comes together in just a few short steps:

• Pulse: Pulse the pistachios, fresh parsley, lemon juice, garlic and ground pepper in the food processor into small pieces.
• Blend: With the food processor running on low, drizzle all of the the olive oil in until combined.
• Mix: Stir in the parmesan cheese or add the parmesan cheese to the food processor and pulse a few times. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt if desired.

Pesto recipe variations and substitutions

• Fresh Herbs: If you don’t have enough parsley, add in fresh basil to make up the difference. Or, try using 1 cup fresh parsley leaves and 1 cup fresh basil leaves. Alternatively, replace all of the parsley with an equal amount of cilantro for another vibrant pesto variation.
• Garlic: If raw garlic isn’t for you, you can sauté the garlic in a bit of olive oil first. Or, try use a clove of roasted garlic or garlic confit. Another option is 1 tbsp of fresh minced chives!
• Parmesan cheese: Try other cheeses like Pecorino Romano, Asiago, or Grana Padano instead of parmesan cheese.
• Nuts: Instead of pistachios, try almonds or walnuts, making sure to toast a bit before using for extra flavor. 
• Red pepper flakes: For a hint of heat, try adding a pinch of chili flakes or red pepper flakes.

Ways to use pistachio pesto

• Pasta: Fresh pistachio pesto is glorious as an easy pasta sauce! Toss with hot pasta for a delightful Summer dish or use in my one pan pesto orzo recipe.
• Chicken: Enjoy grilled or baked chicken topped with pesto and fresh tomatoes. Try it in my Baked Oregano Chicken.
• Pizza: Use the pesto as a sauce for homemade pizza or flatbreads.
• Seafood: Top grilled or baked salmon with fresh pesto for a delightful summer dinner.
• Pasta salad: Pesto makes a great pasta salad sauce, just like in my mason jar pesto pasta salad.

How to make pistachio pesto without parmesan cheese

• Other cheeses: Try other cheeses like Pecorino Romano, Asiago, or Grana Padano instead of parmesan cheese.
• More pistachios: If you’re not using parmesan, increase the amount of nuts by 2-4 tablespoons to make sure the pesto still has a thick texture.
• Dairy-free or vegan: You can substitute the parmesan cheese with a dairy-free parmesan-style hard cheese. For vegan pesto, omit the cheese.
• Nut free: Make it nut free by using pepitas (pumpkin seeds), hemp hearts or sunflower seeds.

FAQs

How to store pesto

Fridge: Store in an airtight container or glass jar in the fridge for up to 2 days. To keep the top of the sauce from browning, add a thin layer of olive oil over the top of the pesto before placing the lid on the container and placing in the fridge.

Freezer: Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months and defrost in the fridge when ready to use. Alternatively, you can double or triple this recipe and then freeze the pesto in ice cube trays for smaller portions. Once frozen, pop the smaller portions out and store in a freezer bag in the freezer for up to 2 months.

More recipes with pesto to love from the blog

• Easy Cheesy Baked Pesto and Sun-Dried Tomato Dip
• Summer Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Vegetables & Pesto
• Easy Pesto Puff Pastry Pinwheels with Prosciutto

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Easy and Flavorful Pistachio Pesto With Fresh Parsley

This pistachio pesto recipe is a vibrant twist on classic pesto! Featuring crunchy pistachios, fresh parsley & lemon, it will add flavor to any dish.

Course Sauces & Dressings

Cuisine italian-inspired

Keyword pesto

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 1 cup of pesto

Author Jess

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh parsley leaves
• 1/3 cup roasted salted pistachios (if using unsalted pistachios, add 1/4 tsp salt to the recipe)
• 1 small garlic clove
• 1/4 tsp ground pepper
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

• Pulse: Pulse the pistachios, fresh parsley, lemon juice, garlic and ground pepper in the food processor into small pieces.
• Blend: With the food processor running on low, drizzle in all of the the olive oil (1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons) until combined.
• Mix: Add the parmesan cheese to the food processor and pulse a few times to combine. OR, if you prefer a more textured pesto, pour the pesto into a bowl and stir in the parmesan cheese until combined.
• Taste: Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper.

The post Easy and Flavorful Pistachio Pesto With Fresh Parsley appeared first on Cooking in my Genes.

Sweet strawberries, crunchy pistachios and fresh basil pair perfectly with creamy burrata cheese.

If you love my lemon & basil burrata appetizer, you’re sure to love this one too!

Strawberry burrata appetizer

Farmers markets are full to the brim with Summer fruit, including juicy strawberries. So, it’s the perfect time of year to make this burrata appetizer. The creamy texture of the cheese pairs lovely with the juicy strawberries and crunchy crostini bread. Serve this as an appetizer or as a part of a light lunch!

What is burrata cheese?

Burrata cheese is an Italian cheese. It’s a mild cheese generally made from Italian cows or buffalo milk. While it has an exterior similar to mozzarella, the best part is when you cut into it to find a creamy center. The creamy center is called stracchiatella, a combination of shreds of mozzarella and cream  It’s buttery, rich and has a slight milky taste and subtle sweetness.

Ingredients needed for this strawberry burrata appetizer

• Fresh strawberries: Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor.
• Burrata cheese: You need one 8 oz ball of burrata or two 4oz balls of burrata (about 200-225 grams total)
• Pistachios: Crunchy chopped pistachios are a must for a different texture.
• Fresh basil: Fresh basil and strawberries go so well together! (Just like in my no-churn strawberry basil ice cream)
• Olive oil: Use a high quality extra-virgin olive oil for the best taste.
• Lemon: Lemon zest plays well with the sweet strawberries.
• Ground pepper: A touch of ground black pepper enhances the sweet & savory taste of this appetizer.

Tips & tricks

• Make sure the strawberries are fresh and ripe for the best flavor!
• How to make crostini for serving: To a rimmed baking sheet baguette slices. Brush the bread slices with olive oil on one side and place in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake for 5-7 minutes, then flip and bake for another 5-7 minutes until toasted. Set aside to cool and then serve with burrata.
• Take the burrata and strawberries out of the fridge about 15-20 minutes before preparing this appetizer to take the chill off of both ingredients.
• If you are making this for more people, add an extra ball of burrata cheese.
• A great substitute for fresh basil leaves is fresh mint.
• If you don’t want to make crostini, simply skip that step and serve with fresh baguette slices, focaccia or even another crusty bread.

Substitutions & variations

• Make this into a strawberry burrata salad: To make this into a light summery salad, add a bed of fresh peppery arugula to the plate dressed with a bit of olive oil. Then, break up the crostini into homemade croutons to sprinkle around and on top. Add the burrata to the middle of the plate and then finish the recipe with the pistachios, basil etc.
• Fresh ball of mozzarella: If you can’t find burrata, a fresh ball of mozzarella can work as a substitute. 
• Bread: While I like to serve this strawberry burrata appetizer with crostini, you can also serve with focaccia or sourdough bread. 
• Fresh herbs: If you don’t have fresh basil, try some fresh thyme leaves or fresh mint leaves as garnish.
• Add tomatoes: To add a different flavor profile, add a few small wedges of heirloom tomatoes or halved ripe cherry tomatoes to this appetizer recipe. The sweetness of the strawberries pairs well with the savory, umami notes of tomatoes.
• Balsamic strawberries: Change the flavor profile removing the lemon zest and use a drizzle of balsamic glaze instead.

FAQs

More burrata appetizer recipes to enjoy from the blog

• Lemon and Fresh Basil Burrata Cheese Appetizer
• Easy Pizza-Inspired Olive Oil Dip with Burrata Cheese
• Easy Burrata Bread Appetizer with Roasted Tomatoes

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Quick Strawberry Burrata Appetizer with Crostini

Make this Strawberry Burrata Appetizer in just 15 minutes! It's a fresh, bright and light appetizer for Spring and Summer gatherings.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Mediterranean-inspired

Keyword burrata

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 4 -6 people

Author Jess

Ingredients

• 1 baguette, cut into 1/2 inch slices
• 7-8 oz (225-250 grams) ball burrata cheese
• 2-3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cup sliced ripe strawberries
• 1-2 pinches of flaky salt
• 1-2 pinches ground black peppers
• 1/2 lemon, zested
• 1 tbsp fresh basil, cut into ribbons plus basil leaves for garnish
• 2-3 tbsp chopped pistachios

Instructions

• Make the crostini: To a baking sheet add slices of baguette. Brush the bread slices with olive oil on one side and place in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake for 5-7 minutes, then flip and bake for another 5-7 minutes until toasted. Set aside to cool.
• Place 1 (or 2 burrata balls) in the middle of a low bowl. Cut the burrata balls open and spread out the filling a bit. (Use 2 burrata balls to serve more people).
• Drizzle the burrata with olive oil (2-3 tablespoons). Then add the sliced strawberries, a pinch or two of flaky salt and ground black pepper, zest from half a lemon, ribbons of basil and chopped pistachios. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve with the crostini.

Notes

• If you can’t find one large ball of burrata, try two 4oz balls of burrata instead.
• Make sure the strawberries are fresh and ripe for the best flavor!
• If you don’t have fresh basil, try using fresh mint instead.
• If you don’t want to make crostini, simply skip that step and serve with fresh baguette slices or even focaccia. 
• Keep burrata stored in the liquid it comes in until ready to use. If you remember, take the burrata out 30-60 minutes before serving this appetizer. Burrata is best enjoyed at room temperature.

The post Quick Strawberry Burrata Appetizer with Crostini appeared first on Cooking in my Genes.

Boursin cheese is layered with fig jam and topped with pistachios for the easiest appetizer made in just 5 minutes.

Just keep the ingredients for this easy appetizer in the fridge and pantry so you can whip it up anytime. Make this appetizer and it’s sure to be the hit of the party!

The holiday season is always busy so when I’m entertaining I reach for my quickest appetizers like this Quick Whipped Ricotta Dip with Hot Honey and this viral Easy Goat Cheese Appetizer with Fig Jam & Pecans.

But this 3 Ingredient Boursin Appetizer might be my quickest yet and I always keep this recipe in my back pocket! It’s the perfect combination of sweet and savory and there are a variety of boursin cheeses you can use to make it.

Boursin cheese is a soft cheese and most notably can be found at local grocery stores in a variety of flavours. 

Why you’ll love this boursin appetizer

• Quick: This boursin appetizer can be whipped up in just 5 minutes!
• Easy: The best part is you need just 3 simple ingredients to make this perfect appetizer.
• Delicious: The sweetness of the fig jam with the savory flavor of the Boursin cheese is irresistable!

Ingredients needed

Boursin Cheese: You will need two packages of Garlic & Herb Boursin Cheese; see below for other Boursin flavour options!

Fig Jam: Fig jam is synonymous with the holiday season and I love it as the sweet component to this sweet and savory appetizer

Pistachios: make sure to use salted pistachios for the most flavour

How to make this easy appetizer

1. Remove the Boursin cheese from the fridge 10-15 minutes before assembling. (This part is optional but it makes the Boursin cheese easier to spread).
2. Use the back of the spoon to press / spread the softened Boursin cheese onto a plate, in a low bowl or onto a platter.
3. Spread the fig jam over the top of the Boursin cheese.
4. Sprinkle the chopped pistachios over top of the fig jam. Optional: Drizzle hot honey over top, a lot or as little as you desire.
5. Serve with crackers.

Types of creamy boursin cheese to use in this quick appetizer

Garlic & Fine Herbs: I use the Garlic & Fine Herbs Boursin Cheese in this appetizer for the best sweet and savoury flavors

Cracked Black Pepper: The Cracked Black Pepper would give this a bit of a spice kick and it pairs really well with the sweet fig jam.

Caramelized Onion & Herbs: This would be a bit more of a milder sweet and savory combination than the Garlic & Fine Herbs.

Expert tips

• Hot honey: This is totally optional but if I have some on hand, I like to finish this dip with a drizzle of hot honey.
• Serve with: You can serve with your favorite crackers (I would choose something with sea salt so that the flavors of the dip shine through). Or even pita chips, apple slices or hunks or crusty bread for a rustic presentation.
• Make ahead: Spread the Boursin cheese in the serving dish and then top with the fig jam. Cover and store in the fridge. Remove from the fridge about 15-20 minutes before serving to take the chill off. Then, top with pistachios and serve.

Common Questions

How to store

Any leftover dip can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

More quick appetizers to make from the blog

• Easy and Quick Holiday Brie Crostini Appetizers
• Baked Feta Appetizer with Dates, Pistachios & Honey
• Easy Sun-Dried Tomato Dip Recipe (perfect chip dip!)

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Easy 3 Ingredient Boursin Appetizer with Fig Jam

Make this easy Boursin Appetizer in just 5 minutes with just 3 simple ingredients! Boursin cheese, fig jam and pistachios is all you need.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine american-inspired

Keyword boursin cheese

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Author Jess

Ingredients

• 2 packages (150 grams / 5.3 oz per package) Garlic & Herb Boursin Cheese
• ½ cup fig jam
• ⅓ cup shelled salted pistachios, roughly chopped
• Optional: hot honey for drizzling
• Serve with crackers of your choice, crostini or apple slices

Instructions

• Optional: Remove the Boursin cheese from the fridge 10-15 minutes before assembling.
• Use the back of the spoon to press / spread the softened Boursin cheese onto a plate, in a low bowl or onto a platter.
• Spread the fig jam over the top of the Boursin cheese.
• Sprinkle the chopped pistachios over top of the fig jam. Optional: Drizzle hot honey over top, a lot or as little as you desire.
• Serve with crackers, crostini or apple slices.

Photography by: Kaeleigh Pugliese

The post Easy 3 Ingredient Boursin Appetizer with Fig Jam appeared first on Cooking in my Genes.