I love using lemon balm in Mediterranean Diet recipes. It is a delicious and bright ingredient that also offers up huge health benefits. To learn more about the benefits of lemon balm, check out my lemon balm post here.
When your garden gives you lots of fragrant, leafy green herbs, use them to make pesto! I love this combination of Lemon Balm, Parsley and Cilantro, but you can make substitutions with whatever herbs you happen to have.
This garlicky, lemony, nutty blend packs all the flavors of summer in such a delicious way. Â Use it as a topping for breads, pastas, veggies and anything else that needs a flavor boost.
Enjoy!
Photo Credit: Christine Kenneally
Lemon Balm Pesto with Walnuts, Cilantro and Parsley
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup walnuts
- 5 cloves garlic, peeled
- 2 cups fresh lemon balm leaves, packed
- 1 cup fresh parsley leaves, packed
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, packed
- 10 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add garlic and walnuts to the food processor and chop for 10 seconds.
- Add the lemon balm, parsley, cilantro, olive oil, parmesan, salt and pepper and chop for an additional 20 seconds, being careful not to over-process.
Nutrition
Calories: 267kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 4gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 73mgPotassium: 172mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1216IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 99mgIron: 2mg
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About the Author: Christine Kenneally
Christine is the Wellness Coordinator for Mediterranean Living and is very happy to be involved in the development and growth of this organization.
She has many years of experience in non-profit program management and arts education administration, most recently working at Snow Farm: The New England Craft Program. She has a B.A. in Psychology and Spanish from Siena College.
In addition to playing an active role in the vision behind Mediterranean Living and it's many projects, Christine likes to break glass and tile up into tiny pieces and arrange them into patterns, creating fine art and architectural installations. She teaches workshops in the art of mosaics, does public and private commissions and exhibits her work.
She is also married to Bill Bradley.
