Bruschetta with Herb Pesto

A fun spin on pesto using your favorite herbs to create a delicious snack, appetizer or side dish the whole family can make and enjoy together. 

 Who else has started their gardens this year?! This weekend I had planned to plant our herbs but as nature would have in New England.. it it snowed in May! So instead I picked up some fresh herbs at the grocery store to whip up this easy Bruschetta with Herb Pesto for lunch and to have leftover pesto to have with pasta and on salads this week.

This recipe will definitely be one of my go to’s this summer when I have an overload of herbs that I don’t want to go bad. Although pesto is traditionally only made with basil it is also delicious with just about any combination of herbs. One of my favorite combinations is cilantro and parsley. Have fun experimenting with different combinations with your kids!

Another reason I love this pesto recipe is that it’s a great way to expose our kids to a variety of herbs.

• Have them try each herb your adding into the blender or food processor.
• Make it fun by calling it a green sauce!
• Have them dip their favorite cracker or vegetable stick into it.
• If they are really hesitant about trying it (like my son!). Make it a game. Have them use a vegetable stick or pretzel stick and have them write their name or draw a picture with the pesto.

Ways Your Kids Can Help Make this Bruschetta with Pesto.

1. Pick the herbs from your garden (or fridge!)
2. Remove/cut stems off the herbs.
3. Measure and add the herbs, garlic, parmesan cheese, olive oil, walnuts, salt to the blender or food processor.
4. Blend the mixture together. Have them watch and guess what is going to happen. What will the texture be?
5. Have them slice the bread and help you toast it.
6. Dice the tomatoes
7. Spread on the pesto.
8. Top with diced tomato
9. Spinkle on salt/pepper

Here’s a video of my son and I making this recipe together!

We enjoyed this as a snack and then had some for lunch topped with mozzarella and prosciutto for a delicious lunch. Options are endless..

Other ways you can use the herb pesto

• As a dip for raw vegetables or bread
• Sauce on pasta
• Topping on pizza
• Spread on sandwiches
• Bake into bread
• Top hummus or other bean dip
• Top your morning eggs
• Mix into a salad dressing
• Top cooked vegetables
• As a meat marinade
• Mix into a vegetable soup
• Have your kids come up with ways to use it
• Try in these Caprese Egg Cup Sandwiches for breakfast

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Print Recipe

Bruschetta with Herb Pesto

A great snack or appetizer using your favorite herbs! You can even use the leftover pesto to top many of your other favorite savory dishes.

Prep Time15 mins

Total Time15 mins

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine: Italian Inspired

Keyword: Bruschetta with Herb Pesto, bruschetta with pesto, Homemade pesto

Equipment

• blender OR food processor

Ingredients

• 2 cups herbs (basil, parsley, cilantro, chives, green onions)**
• 2 cloves garlic about 2 teaspoons minced
• 1/4 cup walnuts
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 baguette
• 2 med-large tomatoes diced
• salt/pepper

Instructions

• In a food processor or blender add herbs, walnuts, garlic, olive oil, parmesan cheese and salt. Process/blend until combined and creamy.
• Slice baguette into 1/2 inch slices. Toast in a toaster oven or toaster until golden brown.
• Top each baguette slice with 1-2 tablespoons of herb pesto, 1 tablespoons of diced tomatoes and sprinkle the top with salt and pepper.

Notes

*Try using a combination of herbs ( I used 1 cup basil, 1 cup parsley)

** Other Nut/seed  options: cashews, pecans, pine nuts, hemp seeds