Tired of the classic basil pesto? Try this rocket and almond pesto.

Basil pesto is a very staple recipe all around the world lately, but if you want to try something new, you may try this rocket pesto with almonds. Very easy to prepare, you can make it in large batches and freeze it. It is perfect with pasta, but you can also use it as sauce for steaks or grilled fish.

Rocket and almonds: health facts

Rocket or Arugula, is a bitter leafy greens usually eaten raw in salads. It is rich in vitamins (C, K, A) , folates, magnesium and potassium. Since for this recipe you’re not going to cook the arugula, all the vitamins are retained. Paired with the dried tomatoes and almonds, this pesto is a powerhouse for our health. Almonds are rich in magnesium and PUFAs (polyunsaturated fats) that are good for our cardiovascular system. Dried tomatoes are super rich in lycopene, a very powerful antioxidant that protects also our DNA.

A portion of this pesto will give you a lot of benefits, when paired with pasta it makes for a complete meal.

Ingredients (for around 300gr of pesto)

• 160 grams of rocket
• 30gr of almonds
• 30gr of sun-dried tomato (you could also use my sun-dried tomato spread)
• 30gr of pecorino cheese
• 1 large garlic clove
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• a pinch of black pepper
• 80ml extra virgin olive oil

How to make rocket pesto with almonds

Put all the ingredients in the blender and mix until you get a creamy consistency.

How to use it: recipes and ideas

This rocket pesto with almonds is perfect on a simple pasta, but you can also use it to cook fettuccine or other home made fresh pasta.

I like to use it as an appetizer on crostini or bruschette, but it is the perfect accompaniment for a steak or a grilled white fish. Try also this pesto with mozzarella. You could prepare a cold pasta dish using fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes and rocket pesto.