Chris went to Austin for a business trip this week and business trips are my chance to be lazy in the kitchen because when I'm just cooking for myself, I don't have to impress anyone. So the past few days have been a lot of "Oh hey, I'm just going to eat this salad out of a mixing bowl while watching Rock of Love on Hulu." (I did close the blinds first so the neighbors wouldn't be able to see. I wanted to preserve that last shred of dignity I have left. The last shred of dignity is the most precious.) Or "You know what would be good for lunch? A handful of raisins and a pickle!" Even when you love to cook, sometimes you just don't feel like cooking.
Because raisins with a side of pickles aren't exactly a well-balanced meal, I try to keep things on hand for all those don't-feel-like-cooking days. And one of the things I keep on hand is pesto--I keep my freezer fully stocked at all times with different kinds of pestos. This cilantro jalapeño pesto is one of my favorites. It's a slightly tweaked version of the pesto in my Mushroom & Zucchini Quesadillas. If you love cilantro, you will love this pesto! It has a fresh, bright flavor and, like most pestos, it's super easy to make.
I also keep a lot of pasta on hand! Because pasta + pesto + whatever veggies you happen to have on hand = an easy dinner. Casarecci is my new favorite pasta shape. It's supposed to be best for meat sauces, but I really like it with pesto. It's got enough little nooks for the pesto to stick to it, but not so many nooks that the pesto doesn't distribute evenly. (I spend a lot of time thinking about these things!) Of course, any pasta you have will be just fine.
This is my favorite kind of vegetarian cooking. Kitchen staples combined with fresh produce to make an (almost) effortless meal.
This post was originally published July 18, 2013.
Recipe
Ingredients
Cilantro Jalapeño Pesto
- 1 c. loosely packed cilantro leaves
- 1 jalapeño pepper seeded and quartered
- 1 clove garlic
- ¼ c. raw almonds
- ¼ c. olive oil
- 1 tbsp. fresh lime juice
- Salt + pepper to taste
Pasta with Cilantro Jalapeño Pesto, Fresh Corn & Tomatoes
- 8 oz. pasta
- 2 ears corn husked (be sure to remove all of the silk)
- 1 c. halved grape tomatoes
- 1 batch Cilantro Jalapeño Pesto
Instructions
Cilantro Jalapeño Pesto
- Combine cilantro, jalapeño, garlic, almonds, olive oil, and lime juice in food processor. Process until smooth and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Pasta with Cilantro Jalapeño Pesto, Fresh Corn & Tomatoes
- Cook the pasta in a large pot or Dutch oven according to package instructions. Two minutes before the pasta is done, drop the corn into the pot. When the pasta is finished cooking, use tongs to remove the corn and set aside. Drain the pasta well and transfer it to a large bowl, then rinse the corn in cold water until it's cool enough to handle.
- Use a knife or corn zipper to remove the kernels from the cob. Toss the pasta, corn, and tomatoes with the Cilantro Jalapeño Pesto and serve.
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
Oh my goodness, this looks AWESOME! I've got a boatload of basil that needs to be used that I'll probably use since my cilantro has long since bit it in this heat.
Kiersten says
Yeah, my cilantro is brown and crispy right now. Sigh.
Martina says
Pesto pasta is my go to food on an "I'm not cooking tonight" night. I love making pesto and I have a ton of basil in my garden, but I always end up with a too much (even for me!) I didn't even realise you could freeze it!
Kiersten says
Yes, it freezes so so well! 😀 I learned that because I have been in the same situation--every fall, I pull out my basil plants to make pesto and I have way more than we can eat before it goes bad.
Christine @ Gotta Eat Green says
Mmm looks so good! I've never used Casarecci pasta before, but like you, I like the little nooks for the sauce. Picking pasta is a very important part of my grocery shopping.. 😉
Kiersten says
I have spent way more time than anyone should contemplating which pasta to buy at the grocery store.
Shannon @ moveeatcreate.com says
I'm crazy about the idea of this pesto. And with cilantro and corn coming in abundance in my CSA boxes right now, I think this is perfect!
dixya| food, pleasure, and health says
this is my kind of meals 🙂 you just inspired me to make a bucketful of pesto and use it often 🙂
Kiersten says
You should! It's so nice to have on hand. 🙂
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan says
Um yeah, so I'm glad I'm not the only one who does this when my boy is out of town. Mine is usually a Real Housewives of somewhere marathon and french fries. Also, yes to this pasta!
Kiersten says
Oh yes, I watched a lot of Real Housewives too!
Tieghan says
Jalopeno cilantro pesto! That sounds incredible! Suck a pretty dish!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
Jalapeno pesto sounds awesome! I love when foods have a bit of a spicy kick to them!
Caitlin says
cilantro jalepeno pesto sounds AMAZING! and, i'm with you on not wanting to cook sometimes, especially lately. especially on saturday night. i literally have a force myself off the couch, and i always say "UGH!" i really wish dayv knew how to cook dinner sometimes.
Kiersten says
We stopped planning dinners on Saturday night. Not only do neither of us want to cook, neither of us are hungry either.
ashley - Baker by Nature says
Oh lady, this is just gorgeous! All of my favorite things in one dish!!! That makes me quite happy 🙂 xo
Reba - Not So Perfect Life says
YUMM... I know what you mean about weeks when your alone at home. My meals can get embarrassing. When I was a single gal steamed veggies and toast was my go to meal 🙂
Kiersten says
You could definitely do worse than steamed veggies! 🙂
steph@stephsbitebybite says
Loving this little kick of heat in this summer time pasta!
Caitlin says
Always game for a new pesto recipe!
Pasta is one of those items that I purchase never sure how much I have at home, so I currently have like 4 packages of unopened pasta in my cabinet 'cause I keep buying it (same goes for lentils).
Kiersten says
We practically have a pasta SHELF in our pantry. I totally hoard it too.
Joy //For the Love of Leaves says
You had me at cilantro jalapeño pesto. I want some right now.
Suzanne @ hello, veggy!! says
That pasta is so funny looking! It always blows my mind how many shapes there are; my favourite are bowties 🙂
Kiersten says
I used to always buy rotini and nothing else, but I'm trying to branch out. I still have a soft spot for rotini though. 🙂
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch says
pasta, cinlantro, jalapeno, and pesto? amazing flavors - amazing dish!!!
Twingle Mommy says
That looks so good! I love pesto, but my husband doesn't like basil so he's not a big fan of it. I think he would really like this.
I have a question for you. In Vegas, I could keep cilantro for a week or two before it went yucky on me. But here it turns brown and watery after a few days. Am I just having bad luck or is that normal in NC? Thanks!
Kiersten says
Well, with the difference in humidity between Vegas and NC, I could definitely see that happening! I don't think I've ever had cilantro last more than 5 days or so, but I thought that was normal. It does seem to last longer if you have one of those herb saver dealies where you put the stems in water and stand the cilantro upright in the fridge.
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
I love all different kinds of pesto. The pasta looks ever so delicious with cilantro jalapeño pesto.
Alissa N says
Wooooooooow this looks amazing!! I love easy dinners like this!! And corn+jalapenos+pasta is one of the most delicious combos ever invented. When my hubby is away its pickles and grilled cheese and chocolate cookies all the way (I often rationalize that if no one sees me eating only cheese and chocolate, then it never happened). He was alone a bunch over the last couple of weeks when I was out or away, and he ate a whole jar of pickles. Why are pickles the perfect lazy food!?
Kiersten says
I love pickles. Freaking love them. A pickle slice is only 5 calories! Also, I have low blood pressure, so all that delicious saltiness is good for me. Chocolate and cheese are two foods I am constantly craving too, but maybe not together. 😉
Anna {Herbivore Triathlete} says
Ooh, yummy! This looks like an awesome dish. I never knew you could freeze pesto, I will have to try it. That pasta looks fun, I love trying new shapes of pasta!
Kiersten says
Pesto freezes SO well. You can freeze it in ice cube trays or in a freezer bag--you can lay it flat and press all the air out, then thaw it in the fridge the day before you're going to use it. 🙂
cassie says
I totally relate! My husband is out of town this week and next and I can't deny having popcorn for dinner at least twice already. And this - this is my kind of meal. I love it Kiersten!
Kiersten says
Yeah, I had a mug cake for dinner one night. So shameful. 🙂
Erika says
Oooh, just gorgeous. I know exactly what you mean about loving to cook but not feeling like wanting to cook all the time. (That was a lot of weird -ing grammar.) Anyhoo. I totally feel that. I feel like cooking is slightly less gratifying when you don't have anyone to cook for, perhaps? The other night dinner would have been a cottage cheese pancake with a side of frozen grapes had my boyfriend not made me a breakfast taco 🙂 Incidentally, it was inspired by an Austin-based taco place (Torchy's).
OMG speaking of Austin--tell your hubby to bring you back a doughnut from Gourdough's! AHHHH I'M HEADED TO AUSTIN IN A WEEK AND I AM SO EXCITED. I'm going to doughnut. It. Up.
Kiersten says
Yes, I think that's exactly it--it is definitely less gratifying when you're cooking for yourself! I hope you have an awesome time in Austin! I'm totally going to tag along next time my husband has to go there. 😀
virginia moreno says
i just made this dish for lunch! it is delish! thank you for sharing!
Kiersten says
Thanks for your comment--I'm glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I love cilantro so what a fabulous pesto! This pasta looks so summery and delicious!
honeywhatscooking says
wow kiersten, looks so delicious and fresh. love the addition of cilantro in this dish...