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Health & Fitness

Victoria's Macadamia Nut Pesto

Macadamia Nut Pesto

I absolutely LOVE macadamia nuts and have never been that wild about pine nuts so I decided to try making pesto with macadamia nuts instead.  This pesto turned out to be the best pesto I’ve ever tasted.  You can use it in pasta dishes or anything that you would make with regular pesto.  I grilled brined pork chops and garnished them with a dollop of my Macadamia Nut Pesto.

INGREDIENTS
3 Garlic Cloves
2 1/2 Cups Packed Fresh Basil Leaves
1/4 Cup Whole Macadamia Nuts
1/2 Cup Olive Oil
1/4 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/4 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
1/2 Cup Grated Romano, Parmesan or Pecorino Cheese

You will need a heavy duty blender or food processor for this recipe.  Wash and dry the fresh basil leaves.  You will want to make sure to get any dirt and grit off of them. Add the garlic, basil leaves and macadamia nuts to your blender or food processor.  Pulse until the ingredients are coarse.  Add the olive oil, salt and pepper and pulse until nice and smooth.  Transfer to a storage container with a tight lid.  Right before you are going to use the pesto mix in the grated cheese.  Makes about 1 cup

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