Linguine Pasta with Cilantro Almond Pesto

Today we are starting yet another week of blogging marathon. The theme for this week is Lunch box recipes for the kids. So I am going to post here the recipes of what Thaara likes to carry for her lunch. She is so fond of Pasta. So I made this Linguine pasta with Cilantro almond pesto. She just loved it. Not only her, even my little one enjoyed this. 

For the Pesto

Cilantro (Cleaned and chopped), 1 cup

Almonds, 1/4 cup

Garlic, 3-4 cloves

Green chillies, 2-3 nos (depending on the heat needed and also size of the chillies)

Olive oil, 2 tablespoon

Salt, 1/4 teaspoon

Other ingredients needed

Pasta, 1/2 lb

Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup

How it is made?

To make pesto

1. In the cilantro, make sure the thick stems are removed.
2. Blanch the almonds.*(Refer notes)
3. In a food processor or blender add cilantro, green chillies, garlic, almonds, salt and pulse till they are well blended. Finally add the olive oil and continue to pulse till it is smooth.
4. It yields about 1/2 cup of pesto.

The final assembly

1. Cook the pasta as per the package instructions to al dente. 
2. Drain the pasta, and return to the pan, add the pesto, Parmesan cheese and mix well and serve.

I served this with Baked Fish. But for vegetarian option, you can serve with Roasted Baby Potatoes or any side dish of your choice.

It serves for 2 adults and 2 kids or 3 adults.

Notes

• How I blanched the almonds- Take almonds in a microwave safe bowl, pour water to immerse them and microwave for a minute or two. Once it is cooled, peel the skin of the almonds.
• You can make pesto ahead of time. This pesto keeps well for 2-3 days when stored properly. 
• You can use any type of pasta. I used Linguine pasta.
• While cooking pasta, add enough salt  to the water, so pasta catches flavor and also add oil to the water, so that pasta doesn't stick to one another.
• You can toast some almonds, chop them and add to the pasta for extra crunch.