This Roasted Poblano Cilantro Pesto has an amazing flavor from the combination of roasted poblano and cilantro. You can make the best tasting sandwiches without using mayonnaise or just dip some crusty bread into it. There are endless ways to use pesto and this one is no exception. How would you use it?
The best thing happens when you combine roasted poblanos and cilantro together, it’s magic! There was a time when I didn’t like cilantro, I can’t even imagine my life without it now! Did you know that cilantro is one of the healthiest herbs? It literally attracts toxins in your body to it and then carries them out. (More info on cilantro’s health benefits below.
This pesto pairs best with a dry white wine like a Sauvignon Blanc, Rioja, Albarino or a bubbly like a Cava or Txakoli. For a red, try it with a red Rioja. Or a Mexican beer will do just fine.
Roasted Poblano Cilantro Pesto Recipe:
Ingredients
- 1 Poblano Pepper - roasted
- 1 Cup Cilantro Leaves
- 1/2 Cup Raw Walnuts
- 1 Cup Manchego Cheese - finely shredded
- 1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 -2 Garlic Cloves
- 2 Tablespoons Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice
- 1/4 + 1/8 Teaspoons Teaspoons Sea Salt (or to taste)
Instructions
Roasted pepper
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Roast the poblano pepper on the stovetop on medium-high heat. A gas stove works the best but it will work fine on an electric stove.
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Char the peppers on all sides turning with a pair of tongs.
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When good and charred, steam for 10 minutes in a covered dish or a paper bag rolled shut to hold in the steam.
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Take a paper towel and rub off the char. It’s ok to leave a little of the char.
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Slice in half and remove the seeds and stems.
Pesto
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Measure everything and put into a bowl of a food processor or blender and puree until the desired texture.
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Scrape the sides at least once.
Health Benefits:
Poblano Peppers are extremely high in vitamin C; just one pepper has 95% of your daily value. They are great for your immune system and help to reduce inflammation like in arthritis and asthma. They are also helpful with the increase of oxygen helping the body to burn more calories 20 minutes after eating peppers. They are full of vitamin A, vitamin K, and potassium.
Cilantro is an immune-booster that helps detoxify the body by loosening them from the tissue, binding to and pulling out toxins and heavy metals. It helps promote healthy liver function and is an overall digestive aid. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory that may help symptoms of arthritis and joint pain. It also helps with insulin secretion and lowers blood sugar. It is rich in antioxidants, essential oils, vitamins (one of the richest herbal sources for vitamin K) and dietary fiber.
