This Arugula Basil Chive Pesto has a wonderful fresh quality to it. The arugula and chives give this pesto a slight spiciness while the basil adds a touch of floralness. I especially love the vivid green color the combination produces.
I use to make a pesto very similar to this one at my restaurant “Purple Rocks” so I thought I’d try to recreate it. I had a lovely herb garden right in the front of the restaurant which allowed me to played around with different pesto combinations. It was pretty cool to have all those ingredients at my fingertips whenever I got an idea. I love combining different herbs to create a unique flavor.
I enjoyed this pesto with a Pinot Gris. It is also great with a Sauvignon Blanc, white Rioja or even a Riesling.
Arugula Basil Chive Pesto Recipe:
Approx. 2 1/2 Cups
- 2 Cups Arugula
- 1 Cup Basil
- 1 Cup Chives
- 1 Cup Raw Walnuts
- 3/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 Cup Manchego Cheese
- 2 Tablespoons Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
- 1 Cloves Garlic
- 1 /2 Teaspoon Sea Salt or to taste
Instructions:
Measure all the ingredients and put in a food processor or blender and puree.
Health Benefits:
Arugula is a super food that cleanses the blood and detoxifies cells. It is an extremely high anti-oxidant making it a free radical absorbent and increases oxygen levels. It has a cooling effect on the body and contains 90% water so it keeps your body hydrated making it a great addition to the summer heat. Arugula has very high levels of chlorophyll, which helps with liver damage and contains phytochemicals that fight cancer-causing carcinogens. The leaves have an excellent source of vitamin A helping with vision, skin and respiratory health. It has good levels of vitamin C that are great for cells and skin health. It also contains decent levels of minerals, especially copper and iron. It has high amounts of calcium and vitamin K that strengthens the bones. The high fiber content helps with colon health and reduces chronic inflammation as well. It is high in folate (B9), which helps to slow down the aging factors of the brain and supports your metabolism.
Fresh Basil has anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. The herb contains exceptionally high levels of beta-carotene and vitamin A and is rich in zeaxanthin an anti-oxidant that helps protect age-related macular disease. It has a good amount of Iron and also helps to detoxify the liver. It contains phytochemicals that may lower cortisol, a hormone secreted when you’re stressed that causes weight gain, so add some fresh basil to your water or tea.
Chives like garlic, scallions, leeks and onions also contain allicin that helps lower blood pressure and manage cholesterol by reducing LDL levels and increasing your HDL levels. They contain many antioxidants that help destroy free radicals and inhibit the growth of cancerous cells and tumors. Chives help your body produce glutathione, which helps your body to identify toxins and other cancer-causing substances and eliminate them. They help your digestive track by eliminating bacteria, yeast and fungi. It is a rich source of vitamin K that maintains bone mineral density. They are high in vitamin C that is great for the skin and are also a natural antibacterial and antiviral that destroy harmful microbes.
