You know those stories that always seem to make an appearance at family gatherings?
Allow me to fill you in on one that always makes its rounds at every Fooduzzi Family Get-Together.
When we were younger, my aunt babysat my brother and me. Being the good Italian aunt that she is, she made us a big heaping bowl of pesto pasta for dinner.
We were lucky kids; we were introduced to the foods of our ancestors at a very young age. I actually remember pepperoncinis being one of my favorite foods. But pesto was my brother’s and my FAVORITE dish of all-time.
So, needless to say, we went.to.town. I’m talking complete and total annihilation. So much so, my aunt later found green specks on my brother’s and my eyelids.
So yeah, we’ve always been a pesto family. ?
And so while I clearly absolutely love the traditional pesto made simply with basil, cheese, garlic, pine nuts, and olive oil, this Almond Butter Avocado Pesto has the potential to…well…get on my eyelids, too.
Was that weird? I think that was weird.
So my choice of adding avocado to this pesto was an act of desperation actually. I love Trader Joe’s. Like, love. I so look forward to our weekly TJ’s trip every Friday night. However, the container of basil I got from them a few weeks ago was a complete JOKE. So once I blended it up with my other ingredients (sans avocado), I was left with about a spoonful of delicious pesto.
Not an ideal situation.
SO. There was a ripe avocado on our counter, and I went ahead and tossed in half. It made this pesto so dang creamy, dreamy, and beautifully green!
But the best thing about this pesto is that you don’t need to use an #instaworthy avocado; show some love to that one that’s a bit past its prime. Once it’s blended up, you won’t even realize it had a few bumps and bruises.
AND the almond butter! I don’t buy pine nuts because dannnng girl, they’re expensive; so pesto isn’t a thing that I tend to make very often. Well, not any more! I had a bit of homemade roasted almond butter left, so I threw it in and boy was it a great idea! (she says so humbly) I’m a complete sucker when it comes to nut butters, so I think that it adds the perfect amount of roasty nuttiness to this pesto.
All I have to say is: this ain’t your nana’s pesto. Yes, we’re totally dipping into Hippy Foodie Land by adding avocado and almond butter to our pesto. But it’s fun. And it’s delicious. And I think you’re gonna love it.
PrintAlmond Butter Avocado Pesto
- Yield: ~1/2 cup
Ingredients
- 1 and 1/2 cups loosely packed basil leaves
- 1 clove garlic, roughly chopped
- 1 and 1/2 Tbsp. roasted almond butter
- 1 and 1/2 Tbsp. parmesan cheese (vegans can use nutritional yeast)
- 1/2 avocado
- salt + pepper
- 3+ Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- squeeze of lemon, optional
Instructions
- Add basil, garlic, almond butter, parmesan, avocado, salt, and pepper to a food processor and process. Drizzle in olive oil until the mixture becomes a paste. Taste, and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Add a drizzle a lemon to brighten flavors and to help keep the pesto green. Serve immediately. Easily doubled, tripled, etc.
Hahaha! That story is basically how my childhood was because I’m Italian too, except it was my grandmother who made the killer pesto! I learned to say the word “ravioli” at such an early age LOL. This looks amazing and I would have never thought to use almond butter. Genius recipe Alexa!! :)
Oh yeah, grandmas make the best pesto ;) Thanks so much, Marina!
I love this idea!! Pesto is by far one of my favorites, but I rarely ever use it!! I actually have some in my fridge right now – and I need to figure out how to use it up so that I can make yours! My basil plant is calling to me ;)
Thank you so much, Kat! I absolutely agree – pesto is one of my favorites, too! It’s perfect this time of year :)
Such a good idea to use almond butter! I loveee pesto- I haven’t had it in a while though. Sounds delish!! Thanks for this recipe :)
Thank you so much, Alyssa! It sounds like you’re due for a pesto fix!
Wow so creative! I love this – pesto is the best because you can freeze it and use it on nights when you just need a quick dinner!
YES! So perfect for weeknight meals!
Girl, I would have NEVER in my life have thought to put almond butter in pesto. Love it! I’m not a huge almond butter fan all by itself (I always just want it to taste like peanut butter, but it never does haha) but this is a great way to incorporate it into other meals in my day! Definitely going to give this a try the next time I’ve got a jar on hand!
Thank you so much, Liz! I’m right there with you…peanut butter > almond butter. Always. BUT it’s super yummy in this ;)
Yum! Pesto is my jam! You are so right about pine nuts oh my goodness they are expensive. Practically gotta sell a kidney to get your hands on them.
hahaha SO true. It’s ridiculous. Almond butter is a much cheaper, yet still totally delicious, alternative :)
Woah- never thought to add almond butter to a pesto before- so creative!
Thank you, Kerri! Definitely give it a try sometime :)
When I first read that there was almond butter in this, I kinda freaked. And then I realized that I make pesto with roasted almonds in it which is basically the exact same thing. ;) Love this!
Haha see?! Not so weird! It’s a new fav :)
Wooooah what a combo. Almond butter and avocado are two of my favorite things but I never would’ve thought to combine them! Gotta try this!
Thanks so much, Liz! It really is something special :)
I have to say I’m intrigued…I love all these ingredients solo….or in pairs…but as a trio I never would’ve dreamed they’d mesh! BUT you’ve never steered me wrong before…and this looks amazing! I am going to give it a shot because we loveeee pesto too! :)
Ahh yay! I just love pesto so much, so I’m always looking for ways to jazz it up. Let me know what you think!
Omgosh you’re a total genius – I love the idea of using almond butter for pine nuts! Pesto is the besto
Thanks so much, Georgie! I totally agree – pesto = <3
LOVE LOVE LOVE!
Delicious. Thank you.
Thank YOU for reporting back!