Cilantro Spinach Pesto Recipes

CREAMY CILANTRO PESTO SAUCE

A delicious creamy topping for chicken or fish. Can be served cold or hot. I personally prefer it cold on top of hot broiled lemon pepper mahi mahi with brown rice and steamed spinach. Garnish dish with cilantro leaves after topping with sauce.

Provided by KB

Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Sauce Recipes

Time 10m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 8

Creamy Cilantro Pesto Sauce image

Steps:

Blend cilantro leaves, cream cheese, artichoke hearts, green onions, basil, jalapeno pepper, lemon juice, and salt in a blender until smooth.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 44.8 calories, Carbohydrate 2.7 g, Cholesterol 8.9 mg, Fat 2.9 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 2.2 g, SaturatedFat 1.8 g, Sodium 152.6 mg, Sugar 0.2 g

Ingredients

1 bunch cilantro leaves
½ cup reduced-fat cream cheese
5 artichoke hearts
2 green onions, or more to taste
5 leaves fresh basil, or more to taste
2 tablespoons chopped jalapeno pepper
½ lemon, juiced
1 dash salt

FABULOUS CILANTRO PESTO

This is a delicious version of the classic with a little more zip! You can substitute the vinegar with lime juice, lemon juice or Italian salad dressing.

Provided by Gena Urias

Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian

Time 30m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 9

Fabulous Cilantro Pesto image

Steps:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta, and return water to a boil. Cook pasta for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain well.
In an electric food processor or blender, blend cilantro, garlic, vinegar, Parmesan cheese, cayenne pepper, nuts, and salt. Add 1/4 cup of the olive oil, and blend the pesto. Add more olive oil until the pesto reaches your desired consistency.
Pour pesto in a small saucepan and warm over low heat, stirring constantly, until pesto begins to simmer. Pour over cooked pasta and toss.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 386.1 calories, Carbohydrate 42.8 g, Cholesterol 2.8 mg, Fat 20.5 g, Fiber 2.7 g, Protein 10.1 g, SaturatedFat 3.1 g, Sodium 54.8 mg, Sugar 2.2 g

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package farfalle pasta
1 bunch fresh cilantro
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ cup walnuts or pecans
salt to taste
½ cup olive oil

PASTA WITH SPINACH PESTO SAUCE

A healthy, low-fat alternative to high-fat pesto sauce. Can also be made with basil or cilantro.

Provided by Sheila Martin

Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian

Time 45m

Yield 5

Number Of Ingredients 13

Pasta with Spinach Pesto Sauce image

Steps:

Cook pasta according to package directions.
While pasta is cooking, in food processor or blender, combine spinach, tofu, lemon juice, garlic, broth, cheese, pepper, and Italian seasoning, process until smooth. Set aside.
Spray a large non-stick saute pan with cooking spray. Over medium heat, cook onions and mushrooms until tender. Reduce heat to low, add pesto mixture and heat until hot.
Toss pasta with sauce and bacon bits. Serve with additional Parmesan cheese, if desired. NOTE: If sauce seems too thick, thin to desired consistency with pasta cooking water or broth.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 450.8 calories, Carbohydrate 76.7 g, Cholesterol 11.1 mg, Fat 6.5 g, Fiber 6.5 g, Protein 25.2 g, SaturatedFat 2.4 g, Sodium 416.6 mg, Sugar 5.8 g

Ingredients

16 ounces fresh spinach, washed and chopped
6 ounces low-fat, firm silken tofu
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon minced garlic
⅛ cup low-sodium chicken broth
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
10 ounces fresh mushrooms, thinly sliced
6 ounces fresh sliced shiitake mushrooms
½ cup diced red onion
¼ cup bacon bits
1 pound penne pasta

SPINACH BASIL PESTO

This sauce is perfect for freezing in an ice cube tray. I just pop out a couple of cubes from the freezer and add to a pasta dish for a quick and easy meal. The Parmesan cheese can be omitted and added after thawing. Pour any pesto you aren't using immediately into an ice cube tray, cover with plastic wrap, and store in freezer.

Provided by Dianne

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

Time 20m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 10

Spinach Basil Pesto image

Steps:

Blend the spinach, basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic, salt, pepper, lemon juice, lemon zest, and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a food processor until nearly smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl with a spatula as necessary. Drizzle the remaining olive oil into the mixture while processing until smooth.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 67 calories, Carbohydrate 0.8 g, Cholesterol 1.5 mg, Fat 6.6 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 1.5 g, SaturatedFat 1.2 g, Sodium 87.2 mg, Sugar 0.1 g

Ingredients

1 ½ cups baby spinach leaves
¾ cup fresh basil leaves
½ cup toasted pine nuts
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 cloves garlic, peeled and quartered
¾ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
½ teaspoon lemon zest
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil