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Dill in water next to olive oil on chopping board

Dill pesto recipe

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Course Condiment, Ingredient
Cuisine British, Italian
Calories 970 kcal

Equipment

  • Chopping board and knife
  • Food processor or blender
  • Clean sterilised jar(s) +/- freezer-safe containers.

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup dill, , tightly packed
  • ½ cup walnuts
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • salt
  • pepper

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celcius.
  • Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet and roast for 8-10 minutes, until lightly browned. Set aside to cool.
  • In a food processor, combine the dill, walnuts, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Pulse until a thick pesto forms.
  • Taste for seasoning and adjust as needed.
  • Serve with your favourite dish or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
  • You can also freeze this sauce in freezer-safe containers or for even greater convenience, in an ice-cube tray. You can remove the frozen cubes and store in a zip lock bag if the tray is needed again.

Notes

Useful TIPS for making dill pesto
  • Start with good-quality olive oil. As this will be the base of your pesto, you want to use an oil that has a nice flavour.
  • Use fresh dill instead of dried dill for a brighter, more robust flavour.
  • Add the fresh dill to the olive oil. The dill should be chopped finely so that it mixes well with the oil. It's the interplay of these two main characters that makes this sauce great; supported by the other ingredients.
  • You may want to consider adding some grated Parmesan cheese to the dill and olive oil mixture. The cheese will add a nice richness and tanginess to the pesto.

Personalise your green sauce

When it comes to dill pesto, there are many ways to personalise the flavour. Here are a few suggestions:
1. Partner with another herb for a personalised variation e.g with parsley.
2. Swap out the walnuts for another type of nuts, such as almonds or pistachios.
3. Add a zesty, fresh kick with some freshly grated lemon zest.
4. For a touch of sweetness, try adding a half teaspoon of honey.
5. If you like your pesto on the spicy side, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chilli powder.
Of course, these are just a few ideas – feel free to experiment and find the combination that you like best!

A few ways to enjoy your pesto

Dill pesto is a versatile condiment that can be used in a variety of dishes. Here are a few ways to use dill pesto:
1. This pesto sauce makes a great spread for sandwiches and wraps. Try it on a turkey and cheese sandwich, or use it as a dipping sauce for chicken nuggets.
2. Give your pizza a flavour boost by adding dill pesto to the top. It's especially good on a pepperoni and sausage pizza, mmm!
3. Stir this pesto into your favourite pasta for an easy and delicious meal. Try it with penne, fusilli, or rigatoni etc.
4. Use it in place of regular salad dressing for a flavorful change of pace. It's especially good on green salads with crisp ingredients like Romaine lettuce, cucumbers, and radishes. You can also add a spoonful to your regular salad dressing.
5. This herb pesto makes a great dip for fresh vegetables or chips and crackers. Try serving it with carrot sticks, celery sticks, or pita or corn chips.
6. Stir through steamed vegetables to elevate this meal to another level.
7. It excels as an accompaniment to fish, be it steamed, fried or baked.

Nutrition

Calories: 970kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 13gFat: 98gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 35gMonounsaturated Fat: 48gSodium: 36mgPotassium: 813mgFiber: 8gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 3870IUVitamin C: 102mgCalcium: 203mgIron: 6mg
Nutritional Disclaimer

All nutritional information is an estimate only, based on third-party calculations derived from an online nutritional calculator, Spoonacular API. The data provided is a courtesy and should not be considered a guarantee or fact. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients and brands you use, your measuring methods and portion sizes. For accurate results, we recommend that you calculate the nutritional information yourself, using a preferred nutritional calculator or advice from a nutritionist, based on your ingredients and individual processes.

Keyword dill pesto
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