Kelly Jensen
This Lemon Balm Pesto Recipe Is:
- Bright
- Fresh
- Vibrant
- Minty
- Savory
- Sweet
- Vegan & gluten free
Can You Eat Lemon Balm?
Studies say: yes! There are some great recipes out there for lemon balm dishes- and you can add this lemon balm pesto recipe to the list. I made a lemon balm smoothie recently with some fresh lemon balm we have growing at the moment, and we loved it.
Lemon balm as an ingredient has been on my mind quite a bit lately, thanks to a beautiful new song by Sun Kil Moon entitled “Lemon Balm.” Mark Kozelek of Sun Kil Moon has been one of my favorite musicians all my life. I loved his work in the Red House Painters, dug his solo albums, and his band Sun Kil Moon’s album April has been a lifelong favorite. A few months ago Spotify recommended his new song of his “Lemon Balm” and I was hypnotized. I immediately added it to all my favorite playlists… and as I listen to it now, I am curled up next to my own wood stove, and enjoying these peaceful vibes. Give it a listen below, it will be the most beautiful few mintues of your day today, I promise:
What’s In This Pesto with Lemon Balm:
- Lemon Balm: also called lemon basil, basil balm, or lemon mint. I am growing quite a bit in my Aerogarden at the moment (it’s only early April) but I plan to line our creek bed with some this summer.
- Kale: or any other dark leafy green
- Garlic: I use fresh garlic when I have it, and this great jarred organic garlic when I don’t have fresh. It’s actually super convenient to have pre-chopped garlic on hand for quick and easy meal prep.
- Olive Oil: I like to use this fruity Zoe olive oil which has a fantastic flavor and deep color- it’s really inexpensive online here, so I keep a few liters stocked up in my pantry. For the quality of oil you get, it’s an excellent value, I would highly recommend!
- Walnuts: because YUM. I stocked up a few bags of these Amazon-brand walnuts which are super cheap and a great value for the quality.
- Lemon Juice: Use fresh lemons if you have it, or this really great bottled lemon that you can keep in your pantry if you don’t have fresh lemons. This lemon is great for dressings, dips, and even cocktails.
- Pink Himalayan Sea Salt: I like to use a pink Himalayan Sea Salt in my kitchen, which has more natural minerals than plain processed table salt. It’s fairly inexpensive, so I’d recommend this salt if you’re looking for an easy way to level up your spice pantry.
- Tellicherry Peppercorns: Like the salt, it’s amazing the flavor difference you can get with really good tellicherry black pepper. Amazon has a generic brand tellicherry peppercorn which is the same price is buying pre-ground, and has a million times more flavor… so I use these really great tellicherry peppercorns, which I would definitely recommend. 1 cup bread gluten free crumbs optional
- Red Chili Pepper Flakes: for a little heat! if you don’t like spice, you can absolutely skip them in this recipe.
Grow Fresh Lemon Balm on Your Counter All Year Long
We got this great 6-Pod Aerogarden which is fantastic for growing herbs in the winter. We actually got it when we lived in a smaller apartment, but even now that we own an acreage we still use it indoors year-round! I love growing herbs on my countertop like fresh basil, dill, mint, sage, thyme, parsley, and lemon balm. It uses LED lights and water, so no messy soil needed – you can have fresh herbs at your fingertips any time. I love picking a few springs of parsley to chop on pastas, adding basil leaves to soups, and tossing some dill in with my pasta salads. This Aerogarden is a great gift for anyone who would like fresh herbs… no large kitchen space or green thumb required!
How Do I Make Lemon Balm Pesto Sauce?
- In a blender or food processor add the lemon balm, spinach, kale, garlic, olive oil, walnuts, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and bread crumbs or pepper flakes if using.
- Pulse in quick bursts until the pesto becomes a thick paste. If it is too thick or isn’t blending properly, add an additional tablespoon of olive oil until it has thinned out.
- Toss with cooked pasta, stir into Risotto, top garlic bread, or add a scoop to soup.
Other Fresh Herby Recipes You’ll Love:
Lemon Basil Smoothie Recipe (Vegan, Gluten Free)
Avocado Parsley Pesto (Vegan, Gluten Free, Paleo, Keto, Whole30, Low Sodium)
Green Goddess Pesto Recipe (Vegan, Gluten Free)
Caprese Pasta Salad with Pesto Vinaigrette (Vegetarian, GF, Vegan Option)
Get the Same Ingredients for This Lemon Balm Pesto Sauce Recipe:
As always, if you make this vegan and gluten free sheet pan hash browns recipe be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe, and tag me @theherbeevore on Instagram so I can feature you. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!
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Lemon Balm Pesto
Ingredients
- 1 cup lemon balm
- 1 cup fresh kale
- 6 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 cup walnuts toasted
- 1 lemon juiced
- 1/2 teaspoon Himalayan sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground Tellicherry Black Pepper
- 1 cup bread gluten free crumbs optional
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
Instructions
- In a blender or food processor add the lemon balm, spinach, kale, garlic, olive oil, walnuts, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and bread crumbs or pepper flakes if using.
- Pulse in quick bursts until the pesto becomes a thick paste. If it is too thick or isn't blending properly, add an additional tablespoon of olive oil until it has thinned out.
- Toss with cooked pasta, stir into Risotto, or add a scoop to soup.
Nutrition
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