Pasta with Coriander Mint and Cashew nut Pesto
For the past couple of days I’ve been spending some relaxing and fun time with my family at Watamu. Its just sun, sand and sea. Watamu is a small coastal town just outside Malindi. We’re here to celebrate my aunt’s(foi, bua) 90th birthday which is today. Yes, you read right, 90th. I decided to treat all my 3 aunts to a foot and arm massage at the spa run by Medina Palms. As I was filling in the form of questionnaires for her, when I came to the part of if she’s taking any medication, she says very sadly ‘ yes, the doctor has prescribed Vitamins and Iron pills. Write that down”. So I go but that’s good for health and they only ask if you’ve got health issues. Basically, at 90 she’s healthy, walking without a stick and has all her natural teeth intact. I seriously hope I have her genes. It’s after a very long time I’m spending some rest and relaxation holiday with my family. All of them couldn’t make it, but we’re 13 of us, the youngest is 30 and the oldest is 90.
Beaches in Kenya are so clean, whitish sand and blue seas. We’re all catching up on news, gossip and coming events. Daily walks on the beach, swimming, eating and drinking and some more drinking! We have lots of small traders selling souvenirs, clothes, trinkets etc on the beach. One of traders is selling turtles which are entirely made of driftwood, discarded rubber slippers and nails. They look so cute. They are also selling small sharks and crocodiles but I found the turtles look the best. How innovative!
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Very innovative. Turtles made using driftwood and olde rubber slippers.
The #134th theme for FoodieMonday/Bloghop group was #Pasta Sauce, which had to be something different and not the normal tomato and white sauce. This theme was chosen by me. Last week was very very hot and enjoying any hot spicy food was out of the question. Hubby and I were craving for a plate of pasta so I decided to make pesto sauce. This pesto is different from the the classic one. I used what is readily available in Mombasa. I’ve used fresh coriander, mint, cashew nuts and garlic. Warm pasta with pesto is a filling and satisfying meal.
Check out the recipe for this simple and yet delicious pasta with coriander, mint and cashew nut pesto.
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| Watamu, Kenya … Indian Ocean |
Serves 4For the pasta:
3 cups boiled pasta
1½ (about 250g) cups mushroom chunks
½ cup cooked sweet corn
1 tsp garlic paste
2 tbsp olive oil
½ – ¾ tsp salt
for the pesto:
1 cup cashew nuts
½ cup chopped fresh coriander
½ cup fresh chopped mint
3-4 cloves of garlic
¼ – ⅓ cup olive oil
1-2 green chilis
½ tsp salt or to your taste
½ tsp coarse pepper powder
For serving:
some parmesan cheese
Preparation of the pasta:
- Heat oil in a wide pan over medium heat.
- Add garlic paste and saute it for a few seconds.
- Add the mushrooms and stir fry till they are just done and not overcooked.
- Add corn, pasta and salt.
- Mix well and take the pan off the heat.
- Roast the cashew nuts lightly in a wide pan till they become light pink in color.
- Chop the cashew nuts into chunks.
- Add the nuts, mint, coriander, chilli, garlic, salt and oil into a food processor.
- Process the ingredients to a coarse paste.
- Remove from the food processor into a container.
- Add pepper and mix well.
- Add pesto according to how much you want to the pasta.
- Mix well.
- Sprinkle some parmesan cheese over it and serve.
- Add more olive oil to the pesto if it appears dry.
- Add garlic and chilis according to your taste.
- I usually boil pasta according to the instructions on the packet. I add a bit of olive oil after they are done so that they do not stick to each other.
- Add vegetables of your choice to the pasta.
- Use leftover pesto for sandwiches or add to your salad.
Pin for later:
A little request:
If you do try this recipe then please either
- add a comment below,
- send a picture to my email mayuri.ajay.patel62@gmail.com
- tag me as #mayuri_jikoni on Instagram
- or tag me on Twitter as #Mayuri1962
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38 Comments
Poonam Bachhav
March 5, 2018 at 3:42 pm
I love the way you cook your food with the available ingredients di…your version of pesto sauce looks tempting and sounds very flavorful. Hugs to your aunt and convey my regards on her birthday !
Sujata Roy
March 6, 2018 at 7:26 am
Pesto with roasted cashew nuts sounds delicious. Bookmarking the recipe. I have to try it soon.
firsttimercook
March 6, 2018 at 11:17 am
I just love the way of using all the fresh ingredients available at your side.
This sauce looks so tempting di 👌😊
thegalnxtdoor
March 6, 2018 at 12:09 pm
I've always wanted to make pasta with coriander pesto, but never got around to it. Your version looks so good, I want to try it out immediately!
THE FOOD SAMARITAN.
March 6, 2018 at 6:53 pm
I just loved this Pesto along with Kriti's for the beautiful way to use natural ingredients!A wow post!
veena krishnakumar
March 9, 2018 at 12:21 pm
This pesto edition is super. Pesto with coriander sounds yumm!!
Anonymous
March 9, 2018 at 7:16 pm
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Lathi L
March 9, 2018 at 11:39 pm
Coriander, mint and cashews.. incredible…I can imagine how awesome the flavor be
Shobha
March 10, 2018 at 1:58 am
Lovely variation of ingredients for pesto sauce.. will surely give it a try too.
Mallika Bhandary
March 10, 2018 at 8:54 pm
Coriander pesto sounds perfect as it is one herb that is always found in an Indian kitchen! Genius and wonderful!
Give Me Some Spice
March 11, 2018 at 1:06 pm
Your version of pesto sounds so tasty. I must try it soon. It's lovely to read about your family and your aunt. Watamu sounds like a lovely place to relax. I have been to Mombasa and Malindi but never Watamu. I love listening to stories about all these coastal towns as most of them have mysteries and amazing folklore.
Sujitha Ruban
March 11, 2018 at 1:16 pm
This is a different way of preparing pesto with handy ingredients.. Can feel the aroma of the pesto and pasta.. Inviting idea Mayuri ji..
Anonymous
March 12, 2018 at 5:14 pm
This was a simple dish to make. Very different to the usual pasta dishes I usually make. It has a lovely fresh taste to it. And my two year old kept on asking for more! So definitely a hit with my family.
Kriti Singhal
March 13, 2018 at 7:29 am
This looks super delightful and so innovative! 🙂 I have never imagined pesto with corriander leaves… Awesome share!
Preethi Prasad
March 18, 2018 at 5:12 am
Corriander pesto looks so good. Freshly made pesto adds nice flavor and colour to the pasta.Beautiful share!!
Aruna
March 28, 2018 at 1:40 am
More more to your aunts, Mayuri. At 85, my father has not one of the chronic ailments and I hope I inherited those genes too.
Those turtles, they are just so cute.
Ever since I discovered Pesto a couple of decades ago, it is my go-to sauce for pasta and you have absolutely nailed it!
Swati
December 13, 2018 at 9:30 pm
This looks delicious.. pasta with coriander cashew pesto sounds so interesting!!.. I will love to have this pesto with a toasted crusty bread!! Beautiful green color!!
mayurisjikoni
December 13, 2018 at 10:51 pm
Thank you so much Swaty.
Priya Srinivasan
December 16, 2018 at 6:55 pm
Wow mayuri-ji, so nice to read about your aunt! God bless her! Those turtles look really cute!
Pesto with coriander and mint looks delicious, that lovely green is to die for!
Pasta with this delicious pesto, sounds yumm!
mayurisjikoni
December 16, 2018 at 8:52 pm
Thank you so much Priya.
Priya Suresh
December 16, 2018 at 7:28 pm
With all those coriander and mint went in it, am sure this cashew pesto is just prefect to mix and enjoy with some pasta without any hesitation. QUite an aromatic pesto there.
mayurisjikoni
December 16, 2018 at 8:51 pm
Thank you so much Priya, it is an aromatic pesto, I also enjoy on a sandwich and in a salad too.
Uma Srinivas
December 17, 2018 at 6:26 am
Unique pesto sauce. Love to use different ingredients sometimes. Looks delicious.
mayurisjikoni
December 17, 2018 at 8:40 pm
Thanks Uma, try it out, am sure you’ll like it.
Freda @ Aromatic essence
December 17, 2018 at 6:23 pm
That sounds like a fun family time, enjoy dear! Coriander pesto looks amazing. Would make an amazing spread for some yummy sandwiches too 🙂
mayurisjikoni
December 17, 2018 at 8:38 pm
Thanks Freda and yes it makes a good spread for sandwiches and also as a dressing for salads.
Lata Lala
December 17, 2018 at 8:25 pm
I loved the way you have made pesto with available ingridients. This style of pesto I would want to try for my kids.
Lovely share.
mayurisjikoni
December 17, 2018 at 8:37 pm
Thanks Lata, please do try it out and you could share a picture.
amritaadak
December 18, 2018 at 1:45 pm
good to know you had a great holiday with family…I wish a very happy birthday to your bua…this looks delicious with simple ingredients…
mayurisjikoni
December 18, 2018 at 5:47 pm
Thank you so much Amrita.
Preethi
December 19, 2018 at 5:59 am
Coriander and mint is a match made in heaven. I love making pesto with these herbs too. This looks so delicious and fresh.
mayurisjikoni
December 19, 2018 at 7:29 pm
Thank you so much Preethi, I too love making this pesto often.
Maria
December 19, 2018 at 5:27 pm
Pasta with pesto is my husband’s favourite lunch. Homemade, fresh pesto with locally available herbs and nuts is the best thing ever! I love the vibrant flavours in your recipe and lovely food photography too. 😊
mayurisjikoni
December 19, 2018 at 7:22 pm
Thanks Maria, I too love pasta with pesto.
Jagruti Dhanecha
December 21, 2018 at 1:05 am
Pasta with pesto, my favourite. Such a quick and easy lunch idea for me. Lovely Vibrant pesto.
mayurisjikoni
December 23, 2018 at 10:46 am
Thank you so much Jagruti.
Pavani
December 23, 2018 at 3:15 am
Pesto sauce looks absolutely delicious with lots of flavours and perfect spread for sandwiches. Bookmarked it.
mayurisjikoni
December 23, 2018 at 10:34 am
Thanks Pavani, its goes so well with salads too.