Malunggay Pesto (A Filipino Recipe)

I've been thinking of a way on how to make a Pinoy Pesto and luckily, I saw a TV show at channel 23 on how to make one. Unfortunately, I do not remember who the chef was and what was the title of the TV show. I tweaked the recipe a bit.

All the ingredients are easy to find. You can use a food processor or blender to make this pesto.

Ingredients :

2 cups of malunggay leaves
pili nuts or roasted peanuts you can buy at the streets (he-he!)
2-3 medium size garlic cloves, minced
1 cup of basil leaves
1/2 cup of virgin oil or extra virgin oil
1/2 cup parmesan cheese or just the regular cheese you use in your spaghetti (grated, of course)
1 teaspoon of kalamansi juice
salt and ground black pepper to taste


Procedure :

1) Pulse the nuts or ground them. (You can put it in a small plastic bag and then pulse with a heavy thing -- glass or small hammer.. just be careful!)

2) In a food processor or blender, combine the basil, malunggay leaves, and nuts. Make sure they are well-blended.

3) Gradually add the olive oil and stop from time to time to scrape down the sides of the processor or blender with a rubber spatula or spoon. Add the grated cheese.

4) Then, add the kalamansi juice, salt, and pepper according to your taste buds.

Makes about 1 cup. You can serve these with your fave pasta or baked potatoes. Whatever recipe you would like to partner this with. =) Yum-yum!!!