Afghan Pesto

Elevate your culinary repertoire with Afghan Pesto, a vibrant and bold twist on traditional pesto that highlights the fresh, earthy flavors of cilantro. This no-cook recipe combines toasted walnuts, fragrant cumin and coriander, and a bright splash of fresh lemon juice, creating a perfectly balanced sauce with hints of spice and nuttiness. Versatile and ready in just 15 minutes, Afghan Pesto is ideal as a dip, a topping for grilled meats, or a zesty spread for sandwiches. Optional red pepper flakes add a subtle kick, while the olive oil brings a silky, luxurious finish. Perfect for meal prepping, this unique cilantro pesto will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to five days, making it an easy way to add zest to your meals.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh cilantro, stems removed
• 0.5 cups walnuts, toasted
• 0.5 cups extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 pieces garlic cloves, peeled
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 0.5 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons ground black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes or until fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

Step 2

In a food processor or blender, combine the cilantro, toasted walnuts, garlic, ground cumin, and ground coriander.

Step 3

Pulse the mixture a few times to begin breaking down the ingredients.

Step 4

With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture reaches your desired consistency. Scrape down the bowl as needed.

Step 5

Add the lemon juice, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper to the pesto. Pulse until fully incorporated.

Step 6

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more salt, lemon juice, or spices to taste.

Step 7

Transfer the Afghan Pesto to a serving bowl or airtight container. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	153.9 grams (153.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	442

Total Fat 41.20g	53%
Saturated Fat 4.10g	21%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1210mg	53%
Total Carbohydrate 16.50g	6%
Dietary Fiber 6.90g	25%
Total Sugars 3.30g
Protein 12.30g	25%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 123mg	9%
Iron 5mg	30%
Potassium 639mg	14%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 76.3%

Protein: 10.1%

Carbs: 13.6%