Cilantro Pesto

An easy, homemade Cilantro Pesto of fresh cilantro, lime and pinenuts.

2 tsp. sea salt
2 cups fresh cilantro leaves
1 Tbsp. lime juice, freshly squeezed (½ lime)
5 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. butter, room temperature
black pepper, freshly cracked
3 Tbsp. pinenuts

Bring a large saucepan of generously salted water to a boil. Combine cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, 1 Tbsp. butter, 2 tsp. salt, and pepper to taste in the bowl of a food processor, and purée.

Remove from the food processor, transfer to a small bowl, and set cilantro pesto aside.

Melt remaining tsp. butter in a small sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add pinenuts; cook, tossing until golden brown, about 1 minute. Sprinkle with salt, and transfer to a paper towel to drain. Set aside.

Transfer to a large bowl. Add the cilantro pesto; toss, and garnish with pine nuts.