A pesto of some form is almost always in my fridge, and this is one of my favourites - it’s so versatile, delicious and nutritious. Add it to your scrambled eggs or tofu, to a pasta, to a platter with crunchy veges, to a dressing, on top of mushrooms or other veges, or salmon, swirl into soups, add to potato/kumara/quinoa salad, fantastic as a base to those home-made pizzas … literally endless possibilities - you can dress up any meal with pesto! 😋

Yes, I know coriander can be polarising - but no worries - you can switch almost all the ingredients in this little beaut - check out the tips and switches section.

What you need:

With the greens, just use as much as you like - I’m personally terrible at sticking to recipes, so just “toss it in” I say!

• Coriander - 100 grams - or 1 packed cup

• Parsley - 50 grams - or ½ packed cup

• Garlic - 2 or 3 fresh cloves

• Walnuts or brazil nuts - ½ cup

• Sunflower seeds - 80 grams

• Pumpkin seeds - 40 grams

• Parmesan cheese * (can be vegetarian) - ¼ cup

  • or Nutritional Yeast - 2-3 tablespoons

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Avocado Oil or Macadamia Oil - 100 grams

• Lemon juice - I use 2 lemons - but ‘you do you’ (you may use 1)

• Salt - to taste

• Grindey pepper - loads

  *optional

What to do:

Hopefully you have some kind of blender, as this is the quickest easiest way - but if you have to do by hand, it’s still possible.

• Chop/blend: greens, nuts, seeds, garlic

• Scrape down sides & chop again - as little or much depending on your preferred texture

• Add: oil, lemon juice, cheese/nutritional yeast, S&P and whizz up again until you’re happy with it - taste test, & add more lemon, oil, S&P as you like

• Transfer to a sealable jar, and pop it in the fridge. Yum! 😋

  • it can also be frozen 😁

Tips & switches:

• You can literally use any herbs you have or like - you can also bulk it out with any other greens - spinach, or kale for example

• Likewise with the nuts - I never use the traditional pine nuts simply as they are way too expensive - use cashews, or the mixed nuts from the supermarket if you like - whatever you have, or use all seeds if nut-allergic

• For an extra nutty flavour you can toast the nuts first

• If you have a food sensitivity to anything, clearly leave it out, or replace with something similar - e.g. seeds could be replaced with Hemp Seeds

• Oils are interchangeable but healthy oils please - no vegetable oils allowed!

• Parmesan is great but many people are dairy free - you can get vegetarian options though personally I don’t think they taste much like the real thing. Nutritional Yeast is a cheesy nutty kind of taste if you’re not familiar but expensive just now (what isn’t!!).

Good luck and enjoy - hope it makes your regular list!

Nutritional Gems - If you want to ‘Nerd-out’ with me!:

• Coriander - anti-oxidant; anti-inflammatory; anti-microbial; anti-fungal: natural anti-histamine; power detoxifier of heavy metals such as lead and mercury; rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, B9, C, K, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, bioflavonoids, may support: healthy insulin levels, cholesterol reduction, headache relief, water retention, and a healthy libido

• Parsley - anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory; a good source of vitamins A, B, C, E, K, magnesium, phosphorous, iron, manganese, sodium, potassium, sulphur, calcium, bioflavonoids; diuretic, detoxifier and blood purifier so may help support kidneys, urinary infections, gallstones, water retention, rheumatoid arthritis (from uric acid); rich in folate so may help support lowering blood pressure and LDL cholesterol; may also support anaemia, asthma, obesity, toothaches, bad breath, and indigestion

• Garlic - microbiome boosting; anti-inflammatory; anti-viral; anti-fungal; anti-oxidant; anti-carcinogenic; anti-coagulant; source of vitamins B6, C, E, K, manganese, selenium, zinc, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium; understood to support healthy lipids and blood pressure, protect the liver and enhance detoxification, and help modulate the immune system

• Walnuts - anti-inflammatory; anti-oxidant; rich in omega-3 fatty acids; vitamins B1, B6, B9, E, manganese, copper, phosphorus, iron, calcium, zinc, magnesium; rich in protein and dietary fibre; can help support healthy cholesterol, blood pressure, and against heart disease; considered a ‘brain food’ helping support against age-related cognitive decline as well as boosting memory and cognitive function; associated with protective properties against prostate, breast, and lung cancers; insulin-reducing helping support healthy weight

• Brazil Nuts - excellent source of selenium, also calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, mono- and polyunsaturated (healthy) fats, and vitamin E. Similarly to walnuts they help support healthy blood sugar levels, promote heart health, support immunity, thyroid function and maintenance of strong bones

• Sunflower Seeds - good protein and fibre levels; a vitamin and mineral powerhouse: vitamins B1, 3, 6, 9, very high E, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, selenium, also zinc, iron and potassium; support healthy digestion; may assist with healthy weight management, and may support reduction in risk of heart disease; help protect against cell damage

• Pumpkin seeds - mono- and polyunsaturated (healthy) fats; magnesium, phosphorus, copper and zinc; support cell growth and repair; promote good sleep; enhance immunity; reduce triglycerides; relieve prostate symptoms

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil - strong anti-inflammatory; anti-oxidant; anti-bacterial; rich in monounsaturated (healthy) fat; rich in omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids; vitamins E and K; helps support cholesterol and triglyceride lowering protecting against unwanted blood clotting and heart disease; lowers blood pressure; helps support reduction of cognitive decline; reduce blood sugar and improve insulin levels; and anti-inflammatory properties support against many inflammatory chronic diseases

• Lemon Juice - antioxidant; anti-bacterial; anti-fungal; anti-viral; anti-inflammatory; anti-cancer; excellent source of vitamin C, flavonoids, and small amounts of B1, B6; whilst not a good source of minerals they have a little calcium, iron and potassium; associated with supporting heart health promoting immunity and fighting infection; alkalising effect on the body helping balance the body’s pH; good for glowing skin and removing toxins from the digestive tract, helping liver function.