Looking to change up your boring old pesto recipe? Try this garlic chive pesto.

You can make pesto out of more than basil or parsley—you can really make it out of any leafy green or herb you want. After a trip to the market, we came across garlic chives and thought they’d be perfect for pesto!

What are garlic chives?

Also known as Chinese chives, garlic chives are part of the allium family along with garlic, onions, scallions, and leeks. They’re not like the hollow chives that you might be familiar with, though. Garlic chives have flat leaves and a white flower at the top. Their flavor is more garlicky thank oniony, but they’re milder than garlic itself.

Garlic chives are popular in Chinese and Japanese cuisine as a seasoning in stir-fries, seafood, and meat recipes. They’re high in Vitamin C and carotene (great for skin health!) and can be used like you would chives. One of the easiest ways to use up a bunch that you can get now at the market is to make this pesto! Scroll down for the recipe.

 

Is there any need, really, to go over the versatility of pesto? Here we’ve used in for pasta (which, surprisingly, we haven’t had in a while) served with extra chopped garlic chives and shaved toasted cashews on top. But pesto is not just for pasta, friends! Use it in your rice, noodles, for marinating your tofu, and spread it on your sandwiches.

This pesto especially is great with mushrooms, beans, and over steamed veggies.

 

   

Garlic Chive Pesto

Makes 300g

 

80g sunflower seeds, toasted and pan-fried in olive oil

18g parsley leaves

20g apple mint (or regular mint)

140g chopped garlic chives

1 cloves garlic

150ml extra-virgin olive oil

sea salt, to taste

juice of 1 lemon

1. Add all ingredients to a food processor and blend for 30 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the processor cup and blend for 30 more seconds, or until the mix has a paste-like consistency. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

  

Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram @eatogether.co and show us your creations!

 

Some more posts you might like