Nettle Pesto
User Reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Excellent
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Prep Time
30 mins
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Cook Time
30 mins
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Total Time
32 mins
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Servings
6
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Calories
376 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Appetizer
Nettle Pesto
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A healthy spring clean detox to the Italian classic pesto sauce, using foraged stinging nettles.
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Ingredients
- 100 g / 3.5oz stinging nettle leaves stalks removed
- 30 g (2tbsp) walnuts (or pine nuts) toasted
- 3 cloves garlic core removed
- 1 teaspoon sea salt (fleur de sel)
- freshly cracked pepper
- 200 ml (7oz/¾ cup) olive oil extra virgin
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Instructions
- Keep your gloves on at this point, as the nettles still have their sting!
- Remove all the leaves from the stalks then soak them in cold water for a few minutes.
- Still with gloves on, blanch the leaves by plunging them into salted boiling water for 2 minutes (this removes their sting). The salt keeps the green colour bright.
- Strain the leaves and cool. You could reserve the cooking water (for stock, soups etc.)
- Once cool, squeeze out any excess water and place in a food processor or blender with the other ingredients.
Notes
- To serve: toss the pesto into cooked pasta (see my recipe for fresh egg pasta noodles from Alsace). There is no need to heat the sauce. That way you get all the beautiful flavours and health benefits.
- Garnish the dish with crispy nettle leaves which have been deep fried for 30 seconds in 150°C and left to drain off excess oil on kitchen paper. That way you get Le Crunch and not a sting. Otherwise with fresh herbs such as parsley or chervil.
- Wine Pairing: enjoy with a glass of red Bordeaux, such as a Fronsac, a chilled fruity Provençal rosé or a white chenin from the Loire.
- Storage: top with a little extra olive oil and keep sealed in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. The sauce also freezes well.
- For non-vegans, add 2 tablespoons of grated parmesan.
- Any cup volume measurements in the recipe are there as a rough guide. Please use grams/ounces indications, as they are more precise.
- Nutrition Facts % daily value per serving: 31% dietary fibre; 45% calcium; 10% iron; 11% potassium
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
9 reviews
Excellent
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