5.0 from 6 votes
Creamy chard pesto
This sauce is a bright, creamy twist on a classic pesto, but just as versatile in how you use it.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
12 mins
Servings: 4 approx
Calories: 226 kcal
Course:
Condiments
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 3 oz chard weight without stems - about ½ bunch
- ¾ oz basil leaves only
- 1 oz almonds
- ½ lemon zest
- ¼ cup Creme Fraiche
- 1 oz grated parmesan plus a little more to top
- ¼ cup virgin olive oil (or extra virgin)
Instructions
- Remove the leaves from the chard and blanche them in a pan of boiling water - cook them for around 1-2 minutes until soft and the leaves darken slightly. Remove the leaves, allow to cool and drain well by squeezing out excess liquid. (If you like, you can place them in cold, iced water after cooking to help keep a slightly brighter color, and cool quicker, but I don't think it's that needed.)
- Squeeze out any excess liquid from the chard more than once then roughly chop. Put the chard and basil in a food processor and pulse to break up well. Then add the almonds and lemon zest, pulse again to chop and mix, then add the creme fraiche and parmesan. Finally add the olive oil in a steady stream with the food processor running and pulse until smooth and well blended together.
- Use as you would other pestos eg with pasta, spread in sandwiches etc.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
226kcal
(11%)
Carbohydrates
4g
(1%)
Protein
5g
(10%)
Fat
22g
(34%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
Monounsaturated Fat
13g
Cholesterol
15mg
(5%)
Sodium
174mg
(7%)
Potassium
181mg
(5%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
1733IU
(35%)
Vitamin C
8mg
(9%)
Calcium
118mg
(12%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4approx
Amount Per Serving
Calories 226
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 226kcal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 4g | 1% |
| Protein | 5g | 10% |
| Fat | 22g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Cholesterol | 15mg | 5% |
| Sodium | 174mg | 7% |
| Potassium | 181mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 1733IU | 35% |
| Vitamin C | 8mg | 9% |
| Calcium | 118mg | 12% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.