Spring Pea Pesto with Mint + Basil is a flavorful, fresh and healthful way to celebrate all that spring has to offer. Ready in the time it takes to cook your pasta, and full of whole food goodness that will make your body happy.
Vegan + Gluten-Free options!

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I do this every time, but I like to start out with a disclaimer: this is not an actual pesto. It’s a pistou.

I call it a pesto because most people don’t know what the difference is and probably have never heard of the word “pistou”. If you are curious as to the difference and what really and truly qualifies as a pesto, I lay it all out in my Raw Kale Pesto Pasta (Pistou) post 😉

This pea pesto is a great opportunity to make an entirely plant based, organic dinner that is really super good for you! The ingredients are few, and they aren’t expensive to start with, so you can splurge on organic options without feeling like you’re breaking the bank.

As I’ve mentioned before, I do a ton of my shopping at Trader Joe’s, and that’s where I got my organic peas, organic mint and organic basil. All reasonably priced and very fresh.

I always buy frozen peas because you can use a bit at a time, and the quality is as good as the fresh kind. Just defrost them under some running, hot water for a couple minutes, and they are ready for whatever you like! Throw them in a pasta salad, heat them up with some butter and salt as a side dish, or quickly blend them into a pea pesto, as I have done here 🙂

I also like to add frozen peas to my soups. It’s an easy ingredient to keep on hand, and it adds so much to whatever you’re making.

Are peas good for you?

The quick answer is, YES! They are very, very good for you. In fact, they are one of the world’s healthiest foods!

Peas are packed full of vitamins K, C and a bunch of the B’s, and filled with good for you dietary fiber, iron and potassium. You’ll be doing your body a big ole’ solid when you feed it this pea pesto, or any other form of pea!

I like to serve my Pea Pesto with Basil + Mint with a crumble of soft, salty goat cheese and chewy sun dried tomatoes on top. It’s the perfect bite of powerfully healthy food that still feels indulgent and comforting. You have to try it!

Vanessa at The Cheerful Kitchen

Yields Serves 4-6

Spring Pea Pesto with Basil + Mint (Pistou)

Spring Pea Pesto with Mint + Basil is a flavorful, fresh and healthful way to celebrate all that spring has to offer. Ready in the time it takes to cook your pasta, and full of whole food goodness that will make your body happy.

10 minPrep Time

10 minCook Time

20 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

For Pesto
• 3 cups or one bag of frozen peas, thawed and drained
• Juice from 1/2 a lemon
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (leave out if vegan or dairy free)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 4-5 large mint leaves
• 8 large basil leaves
• 1/3 cup good olive oil
• 1 garlic clove
The Rest
• 1 package of quinoa pasta (if gluten free) or pasta of choice
• Goat cheese crumbles (if using)
• Sun dried tomatoes for topping

Instructions

• Cook pasta according to package instructions in salted water.
• While pasta is cooking, add all pesto ingredients to your blender and blend until completely smooth.
• When pasta is done, reserve a cup of the water and then drain.
• Add the pasta back to the pot and then pour all of the pea pesto on top. Use a plastic spatula to get all the pesto out. Stir to coat each piece of pasta with the pesto. Add reserved pasta water back in a little at a time if it is too thick until you get the right, creamy consistency.
• Serve with crumbled goat cheese and sun dried tomatoes on top if using.

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https://thecheerfulkitchen.com/spring-pea-pesto-mint-basil-pistou/

Try these great recipes too:

Pineapple Fried Quinoa

Creamy Orzo Pasta with Artichokes + Goat Cheese

Raw Kale Pesto Pasta

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