Creamer potatoes get all dressed up with an easy, knock-your-socks-off red pepper and cashew pesto. It's the perfect side dish for any occasion! Thank you to The Little Potato Company for helping me to share this recipe with you.
You know you've hit the recipe jackpot when one son abandons his soccer ball juggling marathon, the other son puts down his Nerf guns and your husband takes a hiatus from his relaxation time in the backyard...all to crowd around the kitchen table to snack on a pan of potatoes. Good food truly does have the power to bring people together, and I always insist that the food doesn't need to be anything complicated. As long as it tastes great, looks good and is made with a pinch of love, it can put a smile on anyone's face with a single bite.
So, what's the secret to this recipe?
Even though my family is obsessed with all-things-pesto, something that is known by all of our friends and family who have been fed a bowl of pesto pasta at our house, this easy side dish is not just about the pesto. The natural sweetness of the Creamer potatoes that we used seeped through the smoky, garlicky flavor of the roasted bell pepper pesto, hitting every taste sense and making us crave "just one more bite".
For this recipe, I used the Little Potato Company's Terrific Trio Creamer potatoes, but any of their Creamer varietals (Blushing Belles, Baby Boomers, Dynamic Duo and so on) would work. The potatoes in the Terrific Trio are just so darn pretty to look at, with their array of red, yellow and blue, and I knew they would be a feast for the eyes as much as the mouth when I mixed in the pesto.
Potatoes may be the most universally grown crop, but these Creamer potatoes are grown in Canada and the United States, and The Little Potato Company does not genetically modify their products. When I first saw these potatoes, I thought, "Huh...these are just new potatoes like what my Mum used to serve." Actually, other small potatoes are immature babies, harvested long before they are able to develop their flavor, which is why they're often called baby potatoes. Instead, these Creamers are bred to be small and are harvested at their peak of maturity. That explains the buttery texture and the natural sweetness. And believe me, it makes a difference in how they taste!
So, how did I make this recipe? The first step is to make the pesto. I always roast my own peppers (see How to: Roast a Bell Pepper), but the store-bought jarred variety will also work. Throw the peppers in the bowl of a food processor, along with some raw cashews, parsley, and Parmesan cheese. Give it a few pulses, then slowly pour in the olive oil while the food processor is running. Voila...pesto!
If you're strong in the multi-tasking department, boil the potatoes while making the pesto. They just take about 15 minutes to become tender. Once cooked and drained, throw the potatoes into a a skillet with the warmed pesto. That's it! The perfect side dish in minutes.
Creamer Potatoes with Red Pepper Cashew Pesto
Ingredients
The Pesto:
- 2 roasted bell pepper chopped (see How to: Roast a Bell Pepper)
- 3 tablespoons raw unsalted cashews
- 1 garlic clove chopped
- ¼ cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
The Potatoes:
- 1 ½ pounds Terrific Trio or other Little Potato Company creamer potatoes
- minced flat-leaf parsley for garnish
Instructions
The Pesto:
- In the bowl of a food processor, combine the roasted red bell peppers, cashews, garlic, parsley, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Pulse until combined.
- While the food process is running, slowly pour in the olive oil. Process until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
The Potatoes:
- Place the potatoes in a large pot of cold, lightly salted water. Bring to a boil, reduce to medium-high and cook until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, 15 to 20 minutes. Take care not to overcook so that the potatoes do not start to fall apart.
- Drain the potatoes.
- Transfer the pesto to a large skillet and warm the pesto over medium heat.
- Add the potatoes and stir to coat.
- Transfer to a serving dish, garnish with parsley and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Kathie
So good! The pesto was more than I needed for 1.5 lbs of potatoes so I have a bit left over to use for other flavor enhancement 🙂 Perhaps my (jarred) peppers were bigger..... Served it to a crowd - they loved it. Will definitely make again.
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles
Wow. You've taken potatoes to a whole new level. LOVE that cashew pesto!!
Colleen (Souffle Bombay)
I love that...when the whole family has a food moment! You knocked it outta the park with this recipe...Gorgeous & delicious!
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet
I love the idea of a red pepper pesto! Works great when you can't find fresh basil! Oh and potatoes are my weakness. These looks amazing!
Melissa from Hungry Food Love
I love this recipe. It looks so inviting and flavorful. I almost want some heat on it which can be totally optional. Either way I can tell this is a winner!
Toni | BoulderLocavore
These are gorgeous and flavors that I love. I haven't heard of these potatoes but love the mix of colors. Will look for them in my area!
Nicole
These look like some super tasty taters! I'm going to have to find that brand of potato in my area so I can make this!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife
My husband is in love with all things potato and I'm in love with pesto right now! Perfect combo for us!
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat.
That roasted red pepper cashew pesto sounds pretty amazing, it would be so good on those potatoes! Pinned!
Holly N @ Spend With Pennies
These look completely amazing! I think potatoes are our favorite side around here!
eat good 4 life
Holy wow, these looks amazing. The sauce looks insane. Pinning to make soon 🙂