Broccoli Pesto for Bread or As Side Dish

Name: Broccoli Pesto for Bread or As Side Dish
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 3-6 serving(s)
Ingredients: 1 lb fresh broccoli (including stems, sliced); 1 ounce fresh basil; 1 ounce fresh parsley, roughly chopped; 3 -4 garlic cloves (or shop-bought minced garlic); 2 ounces toasted hazelnuts, flaked (flaked almonds can be substituted); 5 ounces gruyere cheese, grated (Parmesan can be substituted); 2 -3 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed; fruity virgin olive oil or avocado oil; salt; black pepper, freshly ground

Submitted by Zurie

"Would you believe this is great? And you can eat it with bread, especially your own fresh bread? This is also a great side dish with any meal. You could substitute the cheese with another flavourful type, and you could also use toasted almonds instead of hazelnuts, or leave out the nuts entirely. As a dip: use all ingredients. As a side dish: serve warm and use ingredients to taste, but lemon juice is a must! Taste it in the processor -- your taste has the final say!"

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photo by Zurie

Ready In:: 35mins
Ingredients:: 10
Serves:: 3-6

ingredients

1 lb fresh broccoli (including stems, sliced)
1 ounce fresh basil
1 ounce fresh parsley, roughly chopped
3 -4 garlic cloves (or shop-bought minced garlic)
2 ounces toasted hazelnuts, flaked (flaked almonds can be substituted)
5 ounces gruyere cheese, grated (Parmesan can be substituted)
2 -3 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
fruity virgin olive oil or avocado oil
salt
black pepper, freshly ground

directions

It's best to use a head of broccoli, as the nutritious stems are also used for this.
Trim the stalk ends, then slice off thinly into a pot with a little water.
Parboil the stalks in boiling water, then add the florets. Cook for only about 3 minutes or until still al dente, then drain.
Rinse basil and parsley and dry lightly in a clean kitchen towel.
Put the broccoli, basil, parsley, garlic, nuts, lemon juice and cheese in a blender and pulse.
Add salt and pepper to taste. (Please DO taste!).
Add olive oil in a thin stream through the funnel until the processor can handle the ingredients and the broccoli pesto reaches a thick, paste-like consistency -- or to your taste. You want a firm consistency -- about 1/4 - 1/3 cup will be enough.
Can be used at room temperature as a spread on bread, rolls and crackers, or as a warmed-up side dish.
SERVINGS: as a spread it will obviously serve more people than when served as a side dish, so that is a little hard to calculate!
TIME TO MAKE: I added in the time needed to toast the nuts in a pan.

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Reviews

This sounds awesome. I am going to the farmers market this week and I am getting all the items i need to make this. I bet this would be great on pasta.

Dawn F.

RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

Zurie

South Africa

I'm a widow, retired, and I love cooking. I live on the coast in South Africa and I love seafood. You're welcome to my recipes (all kinds, definitely not just seafood!) Just remember that no recipe is ever cast in stone -- adjust to your taste! The photo was taken at a rustic seaside restaurant on our West Coast, approx 1 year ago (2016).

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