Best 11 Pea Pesto Recipes

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Pea pesto is a delicious, vibrant green sauce made from fresh peas, basil, nuts, and olive oil. It is a versatile condiment that can brighten up a variety of dishes, from pasta and salads to grilled fish and vegetables. In this article, we will guide you through finding the best pea pesto recipe to suit your taste and preferences. Whether you are looking for a classic recipe or something more adventurous, we have got you covered. Get ready to explore the world of pea pesto and discover how this flavorful sauce can transform your meals into culinary masterpieces.

Here are our top 11 tried and tested recipes!

GREEN PEA PESTO



Green Pea Pesto image

I came up with this recipe when I found myself with a plethora of frozen peas. A friend of mine was leaving the country for 6 weeks and I ended up with 5 bags of frozen peas from her freezer. This is a heavier, sweeter twist to traditional basil pesto. Goes well with pasta or spread over bread and covered with cheese...yum! Add more lemon juice, basil, or garlic to taste.

Provided by Katy Hopkins

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Pasta Sauce Recipes

Time 15m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 cup frozen peas
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon lemon juice
½ cup chopped fresh basil
ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

  • Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil; add the peas and cook until softened. Drain.
  • Blend the peas, Parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon juice, basil, and pepper in a blender; while the it blends, stream the olive oil into the mixture.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 27.6 calories, Carbohydrate 1.6 g, Cholesterol 0.8 mg, Fat 2 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 0.9 g, SaturatedFat 0.4 g, Sodium 25.1 mg, Sugar 0.5 g

SWEET PEA PESTO CROSTINI



Sweet Pea Pesto Crostini image

I made a healthier spin on my favorite celebrity chef's recipe by subbing in vegetable broth for some of the oil and going easy on the cheese. To top crostini, use this recipe for a pastelike pesto. For use on pasta, add more broth for a saucelike consistency. -Amber Massey, Argyle, Texas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Appetizers

Time 25m

Yield 20 pieces.

Number Of Ingredients 10

12 ounces fresh or frozen peas, thawed
4 garlic cloves, halved
1 teaspoon rice vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup vegetable broth
1 whole wheat French bread demi-baguette (about 6 ounces and 12 in. long)
2 cups cherry tomatoes (about 10 ounces), halved or quartered

Steps:

  • Preheat broiler. Place peas, garlic, vinegar, salt and lemon pepper in a blender or food processor; pulse until well blended. Continue processing while gradually adding oil in a steady stream. Add cheese; pulse just until blended. Add broth; pulse until mixture reaches desired consistency., Cut baguette into 20 slices, each 1/2 in. thick. Place on ungreased baking sheet. Broil 4-5 in. from heat until golden brown, 45-60 seconds per side. Remove to wire rack to cool., To assemble crostini, spread each slice with about 1 tablespoon pesto mixture; top with tomato pieces.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 77 calories, Fat 2g fat (trace saturated fat), Cholesterol 1mg cholesterol, Sodium 190mg sodium, Carbohydrate 11g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

PASTA WITH ALMOND-PEA PESTO



Pasta with Almond-Pea Pesto image

A quick and easy meal comes together with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 6

Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 pound penne, (or other short tubular pasta)
2 packages (10 ounces each) frozen peas, thawed
1/2 cup blanched almonds
Finely grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
1/4 cup olive oil

Steps:

  • In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until al dente, according to package instructions, adding 1 package of peas during last minute of cooking time. Reserve 1 cup pasta water; drain pasta and peas, and return to pot.
  • Meanwhile, in a food processor, finely grind almonds. Add lemon zest and juice, remaining package of peas, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt; process until well combined. With motor running, gradually add oil; process until smooth.
  • Add almond-pea pesto to pasta; toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water (as needed) to adjust consistency of sauce. Season with salt and pepper; serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 499 g, Fat 17 g, Fiber 7 g, Protein 18 g

PENNE WITH PEA PESTO



Penne with Pea Pesto image

Categories     Food Processor     Garlic     Pasta     Side     Vegetarian     Quick & Easy     Parmesan     Pine Nut     Pea     Gourmet     Pescatarian     Peanut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added     Kosher

Yield Makes 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 (10-ounce) package frozen peas
2 large garlic cloves
1/2 cup pine nuts (2 ounce)
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano plus additional for serving
1/3 cup olive oil
1 pound penne

Steps:

  • Cook peas on the stove or in a microwave according to package directions, then drain well.
  • With food processor running, drop in garlic and finely chop. Turn off motor and add peas, nuts, cheese, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, then process until finely chopped. With motor running, add oil, blending until incorporated.
  • Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pasta pot of boiling salted water (3 tablespoons salt for 6 quarts water) until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta-cooking water, then drain pasta in a colander.
  • Toss pasta with pea pesto and thin as desired with reserved cooking water. Season with freshly ground pepper.

PAN ROASTED PORK CHOPS WITH PEA SHOOT PESTO



Pan Roasted Pork Chops With Pea Shoot Pesto image

A pesto built on pea shoots, pine nuts and cilantro brightens this pork chop recipe. The chops are seared, then roasted in an oven for 15 minutes, putting dinner on the table in less than an hour. To serve, pair it with a light salad coated with lemon and olive oil, salt and pepper. Try it tonight.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Time 1h

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

3/4 cup pine nuts
3 cups pea shoots
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
2 cloves garlic, chopped
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 1 1/4-inch-thick) bone-in pork chops (about 3/4 pound each)
1 clove garlic, halved
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 cups pea shoots
1 small bunch arugula, cleaned
3 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves
1 small shallot, thinly sliced
Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Lemon juice, for drizzling
Coarse sea salt, such as fleur de sel, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • In a small skillet over medium-low heat, toast pine nuts, tossing occasionally, until golden, about 3 minutes.
  • To prepare pesto, in a food processor or blender combine pea shoots, 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts, cilantro, Parmesan, garlic and salt. Pulse until roughly chopped. With motor running, slowly drizzle in olive oil; blend until well combined. Scrape pesto into a bowl.
  • Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cut each pork chop horizontally in half to bone, making a pocket for stuffing. Rub pork chops all over with cut side of garlic clove, grinding garlic juices into bone and meat. Season chops all over with salt and pepper, and fill each pocket with 1 tablespoon pesto.
  • In a very large ovenproof skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sear pork chops until well browned, about 3 minutes a side. Transfer skillet to oven. Cook pork chops until they register 140 degrees on an instant-read thermometer, 12 to 15 minutes (or cook pork to taste). Let stand in skillet for 5 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, prepare salad: In a large bowl, toss together pea shoots, arugula, remaining 1/4 cup pine nuts, cilantro and shallot. Toss with enough olive oil to lightly coat greens; drizzle with lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.
  • Divide salad among 4 serving plates. Place a pork chop on each bed of greens. Top chops with additional pesto. Spoon pan juices over each plate.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 919, UnsaturatedFat 50 grams, Carbohydrate 11 grams, Fat 71 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 62 grams, SaturatedFat 14 grams, Sodium 1163 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 0 grams

PESTO PEA SALAD



Pesto Pea Salad image

This is a very different salad, with a beautiful presentation. We thought it was delicious and wanted to share it with you. It even keeps well. The recipe comes from Ina Garten / The Barefoot Contessa.

Provided by Pianolady

Categories     Vegetable

Time 15m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 4

2 cups frozen peas
2 tablespoons pignolis, toasted (pine nuts)
2 1/2 cups baby spinach leaves
4 tablespoons pesto sauce

Steps:

  • Cook the peas in a pot of boiling, salted water for 1 minute.
  • Immediately immerse the peas in a bowl of ice cold water, and drain when fully cooled.
  • To assemble, place the spinach leaves in a salad bowl.
  • Sprinkle the peas and pignolis over the spinach.
  • Add the pesto and toss.
  • Note: To toast pignolis, place them in a dry saute pan and cook over medium heat for about 4 minutes, until evenly browned-- tossing frequently.
  • Enjoy!

PEA PESTO



Pea Pesto image

Categories     Sauce     Low Carb     Low Fat     Kid-Friendly     Low Cal     High Fiber     Healthy     Low Cholesterol

Yield Makes 3 cups

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 cups chicken stock
4 cups shelled fresh peas (about 4 pounds in the pod)
1 to 2 tablespoons chopped garlic
1 to 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a boil over medium heat. Add the peas, reduce the heat, and boil the peas gently until tender, about 10 minutes for large peas (smaller ones cook more quickly). Drain and reserve the stock.
  • Place the peas in a food processor with 1 cup of the reserved stock, 1 tablespoon garlic, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Process to a smooth puree. At this point taste the cream and adapt it to your taste. If you'd like more lemon juice, add it. Missing that garlic heat? Add it. Not creamy (which can happen if the peas are not cooked quite enough or if they are starchy)? Add more stock.
  • Place the puree in one-cup containers or half-pint freezer jars leaving 1 inch of headroom and freeze.

MINI CHICKEN KIEVS FILLED WITH PEA, BASIL AND CRÈME FRAÎCHE PESTO



MINI CHICKEN KIEVS FILLED WITH PEA, BASIL AND CRÈME FRAÎCHE PESTO image

Categories     Chicken     Kid-Friendly     Dinner     Spring     Summer

Number Of Ingredients 18

Pea, Basil and Crème Fraîche Pesto:
5 oz frozen peas, defrosted
2 oz finely grated Parmesan
2 oz basil leaves and stalks
1/3 cup half fat crème fraîche
extra virgin olive oil
sea salt
black pepper
Mini Kievs:
9 oz chicken, a mixture of boneless skinless thigh meat, and skinless breast meat
half a teaspoon celery salt
half a teaspoon onion salt
a generous scrunch of black pepper
a scrunch of sea salt
1 large egg, whisked in a bowl
1 cup flour, sieved in a bowl
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs, in a bowl
flavourless oil for frying - vegetable or groundnut

Steps:

  • Start by placing all the pesto ingredients into a food processor and blitzing until smooth, the mixture should be the consistency of custard - so runny but nice and thick. Take around 4 to 5 tablespoons of the mixture and put them into a bowl, and decant the rest of the mixture into a re-sealable jar and place into the fridge. Place the chicken, salt, pepper, onion and celery salt into a food processor and blitz until nice and smooth. Using wet hands (it makes it much easier and cleaner to make the kievs, and keep the tap running so you can rinse in between making each of them) spoon a large tablespoon of the chicken mixture onto the palm of your hand and gently flatten it a little as in the picture. Now, take a level teaspoon of the pesto mixture you put into a separate bowl and drop it into the middle of the chicken mix. Curling your hand up gently as in the pic, bring the mixture up and around the pesto, encasing it inside while making sure you expel as much air from inside as possible, then smooth the tops together to seal. Repeat with all the chicken mixture. Line up the flour, egg and panko in that order and coat each kiev in turn - flour first, then egg, then panko - setting the coated kievs onto a plate. Preheat your oil to 330 °F. Fry the kievs for 12 to 15 minutes (depending on their size) until they are nicely golden brown, turn them over during the cooking if you're frying them in a saucepan and the oil doesn't totally cover them. Remove and place them on kitchen paper to drain. Serve them with a squeeze of lemon, a little salt and some extra pesto filling to dip them in.

PESTO PEA SALAD



PESTO PEA SALAD image

Categories     Salad     Vegetable     Side

Number Of Ingredients 4

2 c frozen peas
2 tbsp pignolis, toasted
2 1/2 cups baby spinach leaves
4 tbsp pesto, recipe follows

Steps:

  • Cook the peas in a pot of boiling salted water for 1 minute. Immediately immerse the peas in a bowl ice cold water, and drain when fully cooled. To assemble, place the spinach leaves in a salad bowl. Sprinkle the peas and pignolis over the spinach. Add the pesto and toss. Note: To toast pignolis, place them in a dry saute pan and cook over medium hear for about 4 minutes, until evenly browned tossing frequently

QUICK PEA PESTO SIDE DISH



Quick Pea Pesto Side Dish image

This might be helpful when a kid sits staring at his helping of peas ...! Nice and easy! Adjust to your taste.

Provided by Zurie

Categories     < 15 Mins

Time 15m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 lb peas, frozen (500 g)
3/8 cup of fresh mint, chopped up (100 ml)
3/8 cup fresh parsley, chopped up (100 ml)
salt (1/2 teaspoon if using flaky sea salt)
1 -2 tablespoon cream, fresh (15 - 30 ml)

Steps:

  • Steam the peas without water if they're still frozen. I prefer the young, tender peas. Drain the peas in a sieve after cooking.
  • Drain, put into food processor, and add the mint, parsley and salt.
  • Depending on the consistency of the pea puree, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of fresh cream, or more if you like.
  • Ground nutmeg is an optional extra seasoning. Depending on taste, you might want to add more mint or/and parsley. This is a nutritious side dish.
  • Great as a side with roast chicken or lamb.

GREEN PEA PESTO



Green Pea Pesto image

I love pasta and always looking for new ways to enjoy pasta. I love green peas and as a child my mom always served green peas with meatballs and spaghetti, so I figured they'd make a great alternative to tomato sauce. Also a great vegetarian dish. It also a great way to get your kids to eat some greens in a different way.

Provided by Stacey Lawson

Categories     Other Sauces

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 1/2 c thawed, frozen green peas
1/2-3/4 c olive oil
2-3 clove garlic
1 c parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
3/4 c pecans ( lightly toasted in a dry fry pan)
1 Tbsp lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste
1 lb pasta of choice (spaghetti, linguine, fettucine)

Steps:

  • 1. Into a food processor add thawed green peas, about three tablespoons of olive oil and blend
  • 2. Add toasted pecans, garlic cloves, three or four more tablespoons of olive oil, and half the cheese. Pulse processor until blended.
  • 3. Add lemon juice, few more tablespoons of olive oil, salt, pepper and rest of the cheese. Pulse processor until it is blended.
  • 4. At this point you should taste your pesto for flavor of garlic, salt, pepper. Add more of this if you prefer more. Also decide now if you want to add more oil. Your pesto should be thick.
  • 5. Cook your pasta according to package directions. Once cooked to your liking transfer pasta to a large mixing bowl, saving your pasta water.
  • 6. Add about a 1/4 cup of pesto and a serving spoon of pasta water to cooked pasta and mix. Add more pesto and pasta water until you have the amount to your liking on your pasta. Save the rest of your pesto for another time or spread it on toasted bread for a delicious snack.
  • 7. VARIATIONS; You can thawed frozen spinach in place of peas. Also any type of nuts such as walnuts, pine nuts instead of pecans. Another green you can use is baby arugula. It has a great peppery taste to it.

Tips:

  • Freshness Matters: Use fresh, vibrant green peas for the best flavor and texture in your pesto.
  • Blanch Your Peas: Blanching the peas helps preserve their color and nutrients while also making them easier to blend.
  • Don't Over-Process: Pulse the ingredients in a food processor or blender until well combined, but be careful not to over-process and turn the pesto bitter.
  • Adjust Seasonings: Taste the pesto and adjust the seasonings to your preference. You may want to add more garlic, lemon juice, salt, or pepper.
  • Serve Immediately or Store: Pea pesto is best served fresh, but you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months.

Conclusion:

Pea pesto is a versatile condiment that adds a bright, herbaceous flavor to a variety of dishes. It's perfect for tossing with pasta, spreading on sandwiches, or using as a marinade or dipping sauce. With its vibrant green color and fresh, sweet taste, pea pesto is a delicious way to add a pop of flavor to your meals. Experiment with different variations and discover new ways to enjoy this versatile pesto.

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