I love Trader Joe’s grocery store and almost to the point that I am addicted to some of the items and ingredients they carry.  Their cilantro jalapeno hummus is one of them. The whole family including my 21 month old absolutely loves this hummus. We literally go through whole tub in a day. Another one is their quinoa and black bean chip, mango yogurt, hence the list goes on.

So I decided to try making our family favorite hummus at home. I wanted to first nail Jalapeno Cilantro pesto, the main flavor ingredient and decided to go from there. While you prepare this pesto I am working on the perfect smooth hummus recipe.

Serving suggestions:

Add this pesto on baked sweet potato to jazz it up. I am thinking out load; butternut squash soup with spoonful of this pesto. Sounds like I know what I will be serving the family sometime soon.

A quick Greek crostini using this pesto, slice of juicy tomato, feta cheese in brine and herb olive oil (olive oil+ world’s seasoning from Trader Joe’s, smiling) on a good toasted ciabatta bread. It makes quick, easy and delicious appetizer.

So here is the recipe. Make it, have it ready, as the possibilities are endless once you have this ready in your refrigerator.

Jalapeno Cilantro Pesto

Spicy Mediterranean Pesto with Jalapeno and Cilantro

Prep      |     Cook      |   Total Time

10min         10min          20min

Recipe type: Pesto

Yield: 1 cup

Level: Easy

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup chopped cilantro

4 seeded and chopped large jalapeno

1/4 toasted sesame seeds

4 clove of garlic

1/4 tsp cumin powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp honey

1 tsp lemon juice

6 tbsp vegetable oil

Directions

Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a pan

Add garlic clove and chopped jalapeno peppers and sauté for 3-4 minutes until the pepper looks tender. See the image.

Turn off the heat and toss sesame seed and chopped cilantro, don’t cook cilantro, mix just until everything is combined.

Place the remaining ingredients and jalapeno mixer in the blender leaving vegetable oil. Add oil little at a time while blending. Blend until it’s like pesto consistency.

There is about couple tbsp of the pesto left in the container in the refrigerator as I am writing and it looks as bright as when I made it a week ago. Yes, finally got to pen the recipe.