Rocket Pesto (Arugula)

Rocket Pesto (Arugula)

Homemade pesto always tastes so much better than anything you can buy in the shops. This Rocket Pesto  – also known as Arugula Pesto is the US – is peppery take on the Italian Classic.  Fresher and bursting with flavour from the herbs, it adds so much to most dishes.  You can pair it with pasta, meat, fish, veggies, use it as a salad dressing, it’s so versatile!  And the best thing is that it takes minutes to whip up in a food processor.

All you need is 6 simple ingredients and 5 minutes of your time.  Fresh Rocket Pesto (Arugula) by Emma Eats & Explores - SCD, Paleo, Grain-Free, gluten-Free, Sugar-Free, VegetarianStart by toasting the pine nuts in a frying pan on a low heat until they start to brown, (watch them carefully so that they don’t burn).  Put them to one side to cool and next you have to grate the Parmesan cheese (I’ve tried to skip this step but my food processor isn’t good enough to break down the chunks of cheese enough and the pesto doesn’t come out as smooth as I’d like it so I grate it now!)

Chop or crush the garlic.  I find the food processor does most of this for me later on so there’s no need to be too diligent.  Next, wash the basil and rocket and tear the basil leaves from the stems.  Add them with the cheese, rocket, pine nuts and garlic to the food processor along with plenty of salt and black pepper.

Fresh Rocket Pesto (Arugula) by Emma Eats & Explores - SCD, Paleo, Grain-Free, gluten-Free, Sugar-Free, VegetarianTurn the food processor on and drizzle the olive oil through the hole in the top until the pesto is the right consistency.  I like to use a really good quality Olive Oil as it definitely makes a difference in this recipe.  The taste really stands out.Fresh Rocket Pesto (Arugula) by Emma Eats & Explores - SCD, Paleo, Grain-Free, gluten-Free, Sugar-Free, Vegetarian

Serve the Rocket Pesto on top of pasta or Courgetti Spaghetti (Zucchini Noodles).  I served it on my Seared Tuna Niçoise Salad and also added it as a garnish for my Spicy Roasted Butternut Squash and Cumin soup and I add it to my Pesto & Cherry Tomato Focaccia.

There are loads of different ways to change-up the pesto.  You can switch up the rocket for roasted peppers or try a coriander pesto instead of a basil one.  Change any element of the sauce that you like.  You could do a walnut pesto instead of using pine nuts or even a hazelnut one.  I like to use avocado instead of the olive oil for a creamier taste.  I did this in my with Courgetti Spaghetti with Avocado Pesto. If you like this pesto then how about giving my Wild Garlic Cashew Nut Pesto a try.  It’s even more firey and spicy that this peppery Rocket version!

This Rocket Pesto will last in the fridge for 2-3 days or you can freeze it in ice cube trays and add it to recipes straight from the freezer as needed.

Rocket Pesto (Arugula) by Emma Eats & Explores

Rocket Pesto (Arugula)

Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Sauces & Dips
Cuisine Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Italian, Low Carb, Paleo, Pescatarian, Primal, Raw, Refined Sugar-Free, SCD, Vegetarian
Servings 4 tbsps

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large handful fresh basil
  • 2 large handfuls fresh rocket (arugula)
  • 2 tbsps pine nuts
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 50 g Parmesan cheese
  • 50 ml olive oil
  • salt & pepper

Instructions
 

  • On a medium heat, toast the pine nuts in a frying pan until they turn golden brown in colour (about 5mins).
  • Grate the Parmesan cheese.
  • Chop or crush the garlic clove.
  • Wash the basil and tear the leaves from the stems.
  • Add the basil leaves, rocket (arugula), garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese and plenty of salt and pepper to the food processor.
  • Turn on the food processor and drizzle the olive oil through the hole in the top until the pesto is the right consistency
  • Serve over pasta, or with meat/fish/salad etc

Dietary & Allergy Information for Rocket Pesto (Arugula)

This Rocket Pesto is suitable for the following diets:

Grain-Free, Gluten-Free, Refined-Sugar Free, Paleo, Primal, Specific Carbohydrate Diet – SCD, Low Carb, Raw, Vegetarian.

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Rocket Pesto (Arugula) by Emma Eats & Explores - SCD, Paleo, Grain-Free, Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free, Vegetarian



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