Roasted Red Capsicum Pesto Recipe with Cashews | Curated Life Studio (2024)

Fresh garden basil and caramelised red peppers create this gorgeous Roasted Red Capsicum Pesto Recipe with Cashews. Perfect as a homemade pestoforpasta,pizzaor as a litevegetariandip.

Roasted Red Capsicum Pesto Recipe with Cashews | Curated Life Studio (1)

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It’s already the third month into the year! Did you achieve all of last years’ resolutions?

I didn’t. And that’s okay.

In previous years, I announced the most unrealistic goals for the year. Live entirely plastic-free, save the turtles, eat healthier etc. Although these goals are a beautiful notion, I’m not surprised that they were unattainable.

Is it possible to be entirely plastic free? We live in a plastic-fuelled world. Plastic is everywhere from the clothing we wear to the electronic devices we use. Although I have made changes to my consumer choices, aiming to reduce plastic use is an ongoing choice that requires frequent planning and forethought. Reusable grocery bags, cutlery, coffee cups… It becomes challenging to manage (and carry).

Although I’ve replaced grocery plastic bags with glass jars for things like lentils and dry beans, I consider that my choices affect other parts of the world in harmful ways. The depleting sand crisis is one of many. The solution I have found to this conflict is by seeking the balance between necessity and consumption. To only purchase items in a meaningful way by recycling, repurposing or refusal.

This year, I didn’t make a goal. Rather, I made the choice to build on the philosophy of slow living and analyse how to incorporate it into my life. Although “slow living” can be defined differently to everyone, for me, it means cultivating self-awareness and returning to a simpler way of life.

As opposed to being a yearly tick-box item, I’m more mindful of my choices and way of living on a consistent basis. I make intentional decisions relating to how I invest my time and money. A lot of this has also influenced my food choices.

With the challenges I’ve had with my health, much of my attention has been focused on fuelling my body with nourishing meals. I am learning the basics to prepare many of my meals entirely from scratch. I am also learning how to grow our own vegetables and herbs, which has been such a rewarding experience.

It has been completely surprising how simple it is to create some of the items I used to purchase pre-made. This Roasted Red Capsicum Pesto Recipe with Cashews is one of them.

I originally wanted to post a recipe on a homemade basil pesto, but grasshoppers consumed most of my Basil this summer. To compensate for the small amount of basil, I incorporated roast capsicum. The capsicum creates warmth and sweetness to the recipe, making it gorgeous for either summer or winter.

Pesto is so diverse. You can create so much with it! Dips with veggie sticks and crackers, stir it through pasta or use it as a pizza base. It’s one of those staple items which are fantastic to have on hand.

What’s your “go-to” kitchen staple item? I would love to hear in the comments below! 🙂

Roasted Red Capsicum Pesto Recipe with Cashews | Curated Life Studio (2)
Roasted Red Capsicum Pesto Recipe with Cashews | Curated Life Studio (3)
Roasted Red Capsicum Pesto Recipe with Cashews | Curated Life Studio (4)
Roasted Red Capsicum Pesto Recipe with Cashews | Curated Life Studio (5)

Roasted Red Capsicum Pesto Recipe with Cashews | Curated Life Studio (6)

Homemade Roast Red Capsicum Pesto with Cashews

This Roast Red Capsicum Pesto with Cashews is a gorgeous adaptation from the traditional recipe. Perfect as a pesto recipe for pizza, pasta or a lite vegetarian dip!

4.88 from 8 votes

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Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Resting Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

  • 2 red capsicum, seeded and roughly sliced
  • 1/3 cup cashews
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, washed
  • 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Instructions:

  • Preheat the oven grill while preparing the red capsicum.

  • On a lined baking pan, place the sliced capsicum and drizzle with olive oil. Grill for 10 – 15 minutes until the skins are charred and blistered. Add the cashews to the grill for the final 2 minutes. Remove and allow to cool.

  • Place the capsicum, cashews, garlic clove, and basil leaves in a blender or food processor. Process until smooth. Bon Appétit!

Notes:

Nutrition: The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. Although Curated Life Studio attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered as estimates and do not replace or substitute a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Nutrition:

Nutrition Facts

Homemade Roast Red Capsicum Pesto with Cashews

Amount Per Serving

Calories 193Calories from Fat 174

% Daily Value*

Fat 19.3g30%

Saturated Fat 3.1g19%

Sodium 2mg0%

Potassium 79mg2%

Carbohydrates 5.2g2%

Fiber 0.6g3%

Sugar 0.6g1%

Protein 2.1g4%

Calcium 10mg1%

Iron 0.9mg5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Disclosure:

Equipment: This recipe may contain links to products and equipment that I use and love myself. The links may contain affiliate links, meaning if you click the link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you.

Nutrition: The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and does not include any other condiments or garnishes. Although Curated Life Studio attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered as estimates and do not replace or substitute a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Let me know in the comments section below or by tagging #CuratedLifeKitchen on Instagram! 🙂

Roasted Red Capsicum Pesto Recipe with Cashews | Curated Life Studio (7)

Kylie - Curated Life Studio

Hey There, I’m Kylie. My passion is plant-based recipes and I want to help you create something gorgeous!

I believe in taking a slow approachto food – to eat locally, seasonally and consciously.

When I’m not taking photos, you can find me wandering the coastal paths of South-East Australia.

Roasted Red Capsicum Pesto Recipe with Cashews | Curated Life Studio (2024)

FAQs

Can I use cashew nuts instead of pine nuts in pesto? ›

Cashews. Cashews resemble pine nuts in color, texture and mild sweetness, and can be used as a substitute in just about any recipe. Stick to unsalted versions (roasted or raw varieties both work), and toast them to provide extra depth of flavor.

How long does cashew pesto last? ›

Pesto-making tips

If you have a high-speed blender, you don't need to soak the cashews first. Store any leftovers in the 'fridge in an airtight container for up to three days. This vegan pesto can be frozen for up to three months.

Why does pesto have cashews? ›

A creamier pesto

I've long relied on cashews for creamy texture in my recipes. They're the main ingredient in the all-purpose cashew cream that adds a rich texture to many of my soups and pasta dishes.

What is the best nut for pesto? ›

Pistachios, almonds, and walnuts or even seeds like sunflower, sesame, and pumpkin can replace the traditional pine nuts in pesto. Pretty much any edible nut tastes delicious—just make sure to toast and cool the nut before grinding them into the sauce.

Are cashews or almonds better for pesto? ›

Cashew for their creamy texture, and almonds for their flavour.

How can you tell if cashews are rancid? ›

Most of the spoiled cashews look discoloured and have white moulds on them. Expired cashews can have a paint-like odour with a bitter taste and wrinkled texture. Also, look for a sour smell in them, it helps in the easy identification of rotten cashews.

When should you throw out pesto? ›

Pesto will last in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. If you've stored it in the freezer, it will last for 6 months. When you're ready to use frozen pesto, thaw it overnight in the fridge or place the container of pesto in a bowl of warm water for a quicker thawing time. Do not try to thaw frozen pesto by microwaving it!

How do you know if pesto has gone bad? ›

If you see a dramatic change in color, such as the sauce getting much darker, or if you smell a rancid or funky odor, then you can assume the product has spoiled. In these cases, it's best to discard the pesto and open a new jar instead of eating it.

Why are people allergic to pesto? ›

Overview. While pine tree allergy is relatively uncommon, there are two main allergens of concern that come from pine trees: pine nuts and pine pollen. Pine nuts (pignoli) are the edible seeds of certain species of pine trees, and are used in a variety of foods, including Italian pesto.

Why is pesto so high in fat? ›

That's largely down to the fact that most pesto sauces contain generous amounts of oil, nuts, and cheese. All three of these are high in fat and calories, so eating too much pesto, too regularly, and not getting enough exercise can ultimately be fattening.

Why is there a hole in cashews? ›

This is the first identification factor to determine the quality of your cashew nuts. Fresh, raw cashews should be white, pale and spotless. Any dark spots might be due to the formation of molds. Likewise, holes and cracks in the nuts means these are eaten up by tiny worms.

What can I substitute for pine nuts in pesto? ›

You can use hazelnuts to substitute pine nuts in pesto at a 1:1 substitution rate. The hazelnuts' sweet, musty, and earthy flavor goes well with basil in a classic pesto recipe with garlic, parmesan, lemon, and other herbs.

What is a substitute for pine nuts in pesto pasta? ›

How to replace pine nuts? Pine nuts in pesto can easily be replaced by other nuts: walnuts, pistachios, almonds, and even sunflower seeds, are all a perfect pine nut replacement. You can even make your pesto based on otherwise wasted food, such as carrot greens.

Do cashews taste like pine nuts? ›

Cashews reign as the internet's answer due to their similarities in flavor and texture. Like pine nuts, cashews are actually seeds (called drupe seeds) that grow on the fruit of cashew plants native to Brazil. But if you don't have cashews on hand, other nuts and seeds will do.

How important are pine nuts in pesto? ›

The chef said that you didn't need to use pine nuts, particularly since they are so expensive. You can use walnuts as a substitute. This is one of the reasons why I don't use pine nuts when I make pesto. He convinced me that pine nuts were not necessary, and I often just leave out the nuts altogether.

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