Change up your pesto game with this fast, and fresh recipe for peppery arugula pesto (also known as Rocket Pesto)! With just a few simple ingredients you’ll have a delicious pesto made in minutes.
Nothing screams spring more then pesto in my book. Since, Wednesday marked the official first day of spring I felt a pesto recipe was the best way to celebrate! I love to make basil pesto when I have an abundance of it. However, as of lately, I’ve been eating a lot of arugula. With my latest food obsession has come some thoughts on making an Arugula Pesto also known as Rocket Pesto. Since making this peppery pesto I’ve been hooked. Instead, of adding basil like you would use for basil pesto I used a handful of fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley leaves along with the arugula. It yields the brightest green color!
How do you make arugula pesto?
First, you will toast your pine nuts. This is the key to making any pesto. I love to stick with the traditional pine nut. However, you could use another milder nut like a cashew for this recipe.
Once the pine nuts are toasted then it’s time to blend the pesto. You can use either a high-power blender or a food processor.
FAQs
Pesto is extremely versatile and can really enhance the flavor to any meal. Here are a few of my favorite ways to use pesto.
-Marinate on meat
-Toss in Pasta
-Add a dollop to a soup
-Mix into the lasagna cheese mixture
-Add in an omelet
-Thin out to make into a salad dressing
For my arugula pesto recipe I added fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley. However, you could definitely use fresh basil (like a traditional pesto) or even cilantro. Of course, that will completely change the flavors of the arugula pesto. Personally, I think the way the flat-leaf Italian parsley compliments the peppery arugula best. Give it a whirl, and try with whatever you have on hand!
Flax Oil – the super secret ingredient!
You would never know if I didn’t tell you that this pesto contains Barlean’s Lignan Organic Flax Oil in combination with olive oil and some water. It adds additional nutrients to the recipe without anyone ever suspecting!! What is Organic Flax Oil you might be asking to yourself?
- High in ALA Omega-3 fatty acid: 7,230mg per Tbsp
- Natural source of SDG lignan
- USDA Organic, Non-GMO, Vegan, Gluten Free, Kosher
- Fresh, cold-pressed and protected from air and light
- How to enjoy Flax Oil? Enjoy right off the spoon or mix into salad dressings, yogurt, oatmeal or smoothies
Pesto Recipe Ideas
- Caprese Pesto Chicken
- Pesto Bucatini with Shrimp and Grape Tomatoes
- Grilled Chili Chicken Skewers with Cilantro Lime Pesto
- Pesto Pasta with Rock Shrimp
If you make this Rocket Pesto recipe, I would be honored and love for you to take the time to leave a star rating and comment! I spend hours developing and testing these recipes, and always love to hear feedback and user experience!
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Arugula Pesto (Rocket Pesto)
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup pine nuts
- 4 cups arugula
- ½ cup pecorino romano cheese
- ¼ cup flat leaf Italian parsley
- 3-4 cloves of garlic
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2-3 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons Barlean's Organic Flax Oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- In a frying pan, toast the pine nuts on high heat until golden brown (about 1-2 minutes). Remove from the heat and set to the side.
- Using a high-power blender or food processor, blend together the toasted pine nuts, arugula, pecorino romano cheese, flat leaf parsley, garlic , and olive oil. As the blender is running, add in the water, Flax oil, and lemon juice. Blend for at least 1 minute or until smooth.
- Transfer to a glass air-tight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Notes
- Yield – This recipe yields 1 cup of Rocket Pesto which comes out to be 16 one tablespoon servings.
- Oxidation – The bright green will change over time so the sooner you can use it the better.
- Storage – Store in a glass air-tight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Oil – If you do not have Flax Oil on hand or simply can not find it you can omit it from the recipe.
Nutrition
Disclosure: There are affiliate links present in this post. That means if you click on a link and purchase something. I will receive a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your continuous support of Katie’s Cucina!
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