Recipe for Basil Pesto without Nuts or "Pistou"
We don't have a huge garden, but our herbs are growing like weeds. We have lemon verbena, rosemary, thai basil, and basil. My basil plants were full so I decided to make a batch of pesto to freeze.
Josh is allergic to nuts so I actually made a French "pistou," which is similar to pesto, but has no nuts. There are several variations of pistou, it usually has more garlic than basil. You can also make it with or without cheese. I wanted it to taste similar to pesto, so I just played around and made it to my taste:)
I used basil leaves, garlic, parmesan cheese, a little lemon juice, olive oil, and salt and pepper. I combined everything in my food processor and had pistou in seconds. I put the sauce in a container and put it in the freezer. Pistou and pesto freezes beautifully. I can't wait to use it on homemade pasta, pizza, or a panini! It is also good stirred into soups.
Basil Pesto without Nuts or "Pistou"
3 cups fresh basil leaves
2-3 cloves garlic
About 1/4 cup quality parmesan cheese, grated
Splash of fresh lemon juice
About 1/2 cup olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
1. In a food processor or blender, chop up the garlic until it is minced.
2. Add in the basil and cheese and start to blend. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while the machine is running. Blend until smooth.
3. Squeeze in a little lemon juice and add salt and pepper to taste.
4. Taste the sauce and adjust to your likings.
5. Put in a freezer container and freeze if you wish or use it right away.
posted by Maria at
5:59 AM
46 Comments:
Ah... so that's the difference. I didn't realize that pistou didn't have nuts. I bet I would really enjoy this. Bookmarking the recipe! Looks delicious.
LOVE IT! Pesto is my fav thing on earth! I eat it plain on a piece of toast when I am feeling lazy... I am making your recipe this weekend for sure!
I am going to have to try this because I love basil, but when I made pesto, I realized that I don't really like pine nuts. But, silly me, I hadn't thought about making it without pine nuts! It may have occurred to me... in like 10 years.
Excellent! As a person with nut allergies, I am all over this. ;-)
yummy, I love this on warm pasta or warm baquette. looks so good Maria!
mmm sounds great! I love basil! I need to grow some next year.
I love Pistou on pasta. Even on regular store bought spaghetti, that's a quick fixed lunch for the after party day. My mother usually makes it in a mortar but I guess a food processor is easier to handle !
I L-O-V-E pesto, and I actually prefer mine without nuts. Thanks for the recipe! :)
I adore pestp but have no made it without nuts! This is great and what I love the most is that you can freeze it!
What a great way to save the summer taste of fresh basil. I wish my basil had done as well - does it help to water it?
I am anxious to try this...I love pesto and I am sure I would love this version.
Ooooh holy yum.
I always have loved how beautiful it looks and it tastes awesome too! I would give anything for some herb plants. We really need to get into med school so I can have a garden!
Interesting...I didn't know it was called pistou. I recently made a pistou because one of my guests was allergic to nuts. I couldn't really tell the difference between pistou and pesto.
I've not tried making my own pesto. Which is really silly considering how much I like it and how ridiculously easy it is to make!
Happy Friday!
~ingrid
Looks great!
Sounds great! My friend who has nut allergies uses tahini in her pesto to replace the nuts :)
this would be delicious on a totellini salad- yum!
Awesome. I didn't realize it had its own name. But that's cool that you can make pesto without nuts. I don't know what I'd do if someone in my house was allergic to nuts! ;)
Lovely pistou! I wish my basil was as effulgent as yours!
Great idea! I've got lots of basil I need to use too!
Sounds great and a good alternative to pesto!
yay! thanks!
jamie's also deathly allergic and i'm grateful for a non-nut version this friday. happy weekend!
Very nice! I love me some basil!!!!!
Looks delicious, Maria! I had never heard of pistou. Last time I made pesto it was a little too nutty, so I'll definitely be trying this next time. Don't you love those little white ramekins? I use them for everything :)
Congrats on the domain change... that's pretty exciting :)
And speaking of exciting, a pesto chicken sandwich sounds about awesome right about now!
Nothing beats fresh Pesto or Pistou. I really need to make some of this. There are so many great ways to use it! (I just wish my basil had survived)
Pistou is really good, I had it in southern France once and I loved it!
I had no idea you could make pesto without nuts. Thanks for sharing!
This would make the whole recipe less expensive as well - as nuts usually cost more. I've also made pesto with Almonds instead of pine nuts.
oo didn't know they are called pistou. Would love this with pasta!
golly, that's such a gorgeous color. such vibrancy. and now, for the 395th time, i rue not having a garden. :)
How interesting, I've never heard of pistou. We love pesto, so I'm sure we'd love this too. I definitely wanna give it a try, thanks for sharing.
I have never tried pesto without nuts, but I really should!
With or without nuts this is the best way to use our summer basil.
I'm with you - pesto (pistou) is such a wonderful staple to have in the house. Slather it on anything or use it as a gorgeous dip or (my favorite) toss it with fresh pasta for the world's fastest and most flavorful dinner.
Of course, I have a real weakness for basil, so you know I love this.
Cheers!
Homemade pesto (or pistou is this case!) is just the best, yours looks delicious!
YUM. Love basil.
Oh, so that's what it is! I learn something new every day. It would be great on light-as-a-feather fettuccine, I imagine! :)
So many pestos so little thyme! Looks good.
I would enjoy this pesto as much it looks fabulous!
I bet your Pistou has an amazing fresh flavor!
I'd definitely love to try making it without nuts. Seems like it would be so much less fattening too!
Thank you for the No Nuts recipe. I too have a problem with nuts and was wondering how in the world I was going to use my sweet basil, make the pesto and avoid the nuts. Thanks so much!
Wonderful! I've never eaten pesto (I have a nut allergy too) and I can't wait to try making your recipe!! Thank you.
I just made this recipe.... I've never tasted pesto b/c of my nut allergy and this is heavenly. Thank you!!! I'll be posting my version of this recipe soon, and I'll be sure to link back to you.
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