Pistachio Rosemary Pesto with Power Greens

This pesto!!!

My new favorite.

Pistachio Rosemary Pesto with Power Greens | edibleperspective.com
Pistachio Rosemary Pesto with Power Greens | edibleperspective.com

Today’s post is sponsored by Earthbound Farms.  Product opinions and recipes are always my own.  Thank you for supporting the occasional sponsored post that helps fund all the deliciousness + behind the scenes action you see here.

I’ve been in a little dinner-recipe rut, but whoa, did this turn things around for me!

Rosemary is possibly my favorite herb of all time.  There’s just something about it, especially when combined with potatoes.  So much goodness.  

Pistachio Rosemary Pesto with Power Greens | edibleperspective.com
Pistachio Rosemary Pesto with Power Greens | edibleperspective.com

While eating pistachios the other day I had a thought.  I’ve gone through nearly 2lbs of pistachios in about 1 1/2 weeks.  SCARY.  Most of them were in cookies, which I ate 85% of.  Still scary.  Chris has definitely helped with the pistachio consumption, so we’re nearing 1lb each…still slightly concerning.

However, besides the thought of consuming so many pistachios + still wanting more I was also thinking that they would pair really well with rosemary.  Something about the flavor combination was just calling my name.  A little nutty.  A little woodsy and fragrant.  I could almost taste it without tasting it.

Pistachio Rosemary Pesto with Power Greens | edibleperspective.com
Pistachio Rosemary Pesto with Power Greens | edibleperspective.com

And that is when this pesto idea was born, resulting in richly flavored pesto bulked up with Earthbound Farm’s Deep Greens Power blend.  The baby greens don’t require any cooking, resulting in a 10 minute recipe that is easily thrown together to have on hand as a topping for just about anything.

Pistachio Rosemary Pesto with Power Greens | edibleperspective.com
Pistachio Rosemary Pesto with Power Greens | edibleperspective.com

like…

  • roasted potatoes
  • roasted broccoli
  • avocado toast
  • lentil meat-less balls
  • veggie burgers
  • eggs
  • pasta
  • pizza sauce
  • crispy polenta
  • grilled tofu
  • etc. etc.
Pistachio Rosemary Pesto with Power Greens | edibleperspective.com
Pistachio Rosemary Pesto with Power Greens | edibleperspective.com

Print recipe!

Pistachio Rosemary Pesto with Power Greens

gluten-free, vegan option // yields ~3/4 cup

  • 2 medium cloves garlic, peeled
  • 1/2 cup roasted/salted pistachios
  • 2 cups packed power greens*
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, see notes for vegan option
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 – 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

for the pesto:

Place the peeled garlic in a large food processor and turn on until garlic is chopped.  Add in the pistachios and process until you have pebble-sized pieces. 

Remove stem ends from the greens and measure out 2 packed cups [but not tightly packed] of greens then add in the parmesan, rosemary, lemon juice, pepper, and salt.  Pulse until mixture is chopped and combined [refer to photo 2].

Slowly stream in the olive oil and pulse the mixture simultaneously until your desired consistency is met.  I used 1/3 cup olive oil.  Taste and add more salt + pepper if needed.

Store in a sealed jar for up to a week in the fridge and use as desired.

for the pasta:

  • 4-6 servings of pasta, my favorite gluten-free pasta
  • 6-8 large handfuls of power greens
  • chopped pistachios, sundried tomatoes, roasted garlic, salt/pepper

Cook pasta [4-6 servings worth] according to package directions and reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water.  Place back in the pot and add as much pesto as desired.  Add in cooking water 1 tablespoon at a time to help spread the pesto, then stir.  Add more water as needed.  Stir in power greens and sun-dried tomatoes and let cook until greens are just wilted.  Top each portion with chopped pistachios, roasted garlic, and salt + pepper.

notes: *The Power Greens mix is a combination of baby spinach, baby kale, and baby swiss chard.  If using unsalted pistachios you’ll need to add more salt to the pesto.  For a vegan version sub in 3 tablespoons of nutritional yeast and follow directions as stated.  Add more olive oil if needed as nutritional yeast will thicken the pesto.

Pistachio Rosemary Pesto with Power Greens | edibleperspective.com
Pistachio Rosemary Pesto with Power Greens | edibleperspective.com

Simple. Comforting.  Wintery.  Vibrant green.  I’d say we have a winner.

Ashley

Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies with Pistachios

Slowly but surely I’m conquering my gluten-free cookie baking fears.  Good thing, because cookies are one of my favorite desserts.  Especially chocolate chip cookies.  They’re right up there with ice cream.  Extra vanilla for me.

Combine them together and watch my head explode.  We’re just talking cookies today, though.  I don’t want you to get too excited. 

Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies with Pistachios | edibleperspective.com
Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies with Pistachios | edibleperspective.com

After 3 slightly different trials I am completely satisfied with the end result for these chocolate chippers.  You’d think I’d sound more excited but I’m currently coming down from an 8-hour sugar high.

so.much.taste.testing.

I never thought there could be a thing as too many cookies.  Oy vey. 

I’m sure tomorrow—or the next time I go in the kitchen—I’ll be saying otherwise. 

Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies with Pistachios | edibleperspective.com
Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies with Pistachios | edibleperspective.com

If chocolate chip cookies weren’t addicting enough I added the worlds most addicting nut to the dough.

Pistachios. 

They’re sort of ugly but sort of pretty with that vibrant green hue…

And absolutely, ridiculously, addicting.  Especially when they come shelled and in a 2lb bag.  Thanks, Costco.

The little orange flecks?  That would be orange zest.  A surprising + fun addition that contrasts well with the chocolate.  Just for a little extra holiday kick.

Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies with Pistachios | edibleperspective.com
Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies with Pistachios | edibleperspective.com

The great thing about this recipe is that you can mix in whatever your little heart desires.  I guess that probably goes without saying, but, I just want you to know this is the base for the best gluten-free chocolate chip cookies.  AND, the easiest!  I’ve made these with a very simple combination of flours.

My biggest fear with cookie baking was that I’d have to start combining starches, gums, and too many flours.  Not that there’s anything at all wrong with using those ingredients—there isn’t!—I just wanted to keep things as simple as possible.

Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies with Pistachios | edibleperspective.com
Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies with Pistachios | edibleperspective.com

My goal with this recipe was to create a traditional chocolate chip cookie.  Not a lightened up, breakfast cookie.  A real deal cookie. 

However, I did introduce a few new ingredients to the equation like muscovado sugar, oat flour, and almond meal.  I also subbed out a bit of butter for almond butter and decreased the sugar a bit in comparison to standard chocolate chip cookie recipes.  These also use more flour than typical recipes, yielding more cookies with less sugar + butter.  The end result?  A thick cookie with a lightly crisped exterior and a chewy center. 

I say, WIN.

Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies with Pistachios | edibleperspective.com
Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies with Pistachios | edibleperspective.com

Print this!

heavily adapted from: Jessica’s Brown Butter Oatmeal Chunk Cookies + Izy’s Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies

Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies with Pistachios

gluten-free // yields 32-40 cookies

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 cups gluten-free oat flour
  • 1 cup almond meal
  • 1/2 cup gluten-free rolled oats
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • pinch of salt
  • 2/3 cup packed muscovado sugar, or brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons natural creamy almond butter
  • 1 large egg, whisked
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup coarsely chopped roasted/salted pistachios
  • 1/2 – 2/3 cup dark chocolate chips
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons orange zest, optional

Melt the butter in a small pan over medium-low heat stirring constantly, then pour into a bowl and allow to cool to room temperature.  While butter is cooling sift the oat flour into a large bowl then stir in the almond meal, oats, baking soda, and pinch of salt. 

Pour the butter into another large bowl and whisk together with the sugar, maple syrup, and almond butter until well combined.  Whisk in the egg and vanilla until fully incorporated.  Pour the dry ingredients over the wet and stir with a fork and/or your hands until fully combined [when you no longer see dry flour].  Mix in the nuts, chocolate chips, and orange zest [if using].  The dough will be tacky and thick.  Cover with plastic-wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes [don’t skip this step].

Preheat your oven to 350* F.  Scoop some of the dough in your hand and form about a 1 1/2-inch ball [does not have to be smoothly rolled].  Place on a nonstick baking sheet and repeat with remaining dough leaving 2-inches between each cookie.

Bake cookies for 9-12 minutes depending on desired doneness.  Let cookies cool for 5 minutes then transfer to a cooling rack for at least 10 minutes before eating.  Cookies firm as they cool.  Once fully cooled store in a sealed bag or container on the counter.

notes: For plain chocolate chip cookies, omit the pistachios + orange zest and use 1 cup dark chocolate chips.  If your almond butter has oil on top be sure to fully combine it before using.  If you do not have almond butter, omit and use 1/2 cup total butter.  Also use 3/4 cup packed muscovado sugar and 1 tablespoon maple syrup.  If you don’t have muscovado or brown sugar you can make brown sugar at home at the ratio of 1 cup pure cane sugar : 1 teaspoon molasses [or more for a stronger flavor].  Mix with your fingers until fully combined.

Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies with Pistachios | edibleperspective.com
Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies with Pistachios | edibleperspective.com

Gluten-free or not, these are a damn good cookie.

Now if only I could work up the courage to try making gluten-free cinnamon rolls…

Ashley

Looking for super chewy gluten-free and vegan oatmeal chocolate chip cookies?  I’ve got you covered.