Have you ever tried Spirulina ?
This algae is said to have lots of health benefits as it has a very high content in protein and minerals. I have tried it in smoothies and porridges in the past, but this time I wanted to use it in a savory recipe to enjoy its flavor. Some people don’t like it as it is quite strong and specific. You can tell it is an algae 🙂
I thought that combined with other strong ingredients and herbs in a pesto sauce it would work well and somehow balance the spirulina.
The spirulina pesto is a very dense dark green sauce, you can adjust according your tastebuds (+/- garlic, lemon).
You can have it on toasts, as a dip or in a salad like the one I propose below.
Have a try and let me know your thoughts !
THIS RECIPE IS:
- Super healthy
- Flavorful
- Super easy
PESTO INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup basil
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp dry spirulina (rehydrated with 1,5 tbsp water)
- 3 tbsp almonds
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1,5 tbsp lemon
- 1 tsp sea salt
PESTO INSTRUCTIONS
- Blend everything, except the oil at high speed in your blender.
- Add the oil and blend again until smooth with still some texture.
- Taste and add more lemon/salt if needed or water if you prefer a texture that is less thick
Nb: you can also add 2 tbsp nutritional yeast to get a little cheese note in your pesto. In that case add a bit more water or lemon juice
Your pesto can be kept for up to 5 days in your fridge in an airtight container.
SALAD INSTRUCTIONS
- Cook 1/2 cup puy lentils (or use rinsed can ones if you don’t have time). Rinse them and let them cool down
- Cook 1/3 cup white quinoa
- Blanch 3 Brocoli florets and cut it in small bits
- Finely shred 2 tbsp mint and 1 tbsp coriander
- Mix 1tbsp spirulina pesto with the lentils.
- Mix the quinoa with the brocoli, the herbs and 1 tbsp olive oil + 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Top it with the lentils combined with 1 tbsp spirulina pesto.
- Finish with some more baby mint leaves, a few brocoli bits, some sunflower kernels and a few drops of pesto. Drizzle a little olive oil, more lemon juice and some salt and cracked pepper.
ENJOY !