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
- 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
The Potatoes:
- 1 1/2 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
Sarah Walker Caron (Sarah's Cucina Bella) says
These potatoes sound incredible. I adore pesto, and creamer potatoes — YUM! And I love what you said about food bringing people together. It’s so true.
Dara says
Thanks, Sarah. There’s nothing like good food to bring them flocking to the table! 🙂
Liz says
SO flavorful and irresistible! I”m going to hunt down these new potatoes!!!
Dara says
Thanks, Liz! I promise you won’t be disappointed. The flavor and texture of these Creamer potatoes are out of this world. There is a store locator on the Little Potato Co. site to make things easier: http://www.littlepotatoes.com/products/store-locator.php
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
I love The Little Potato Company and their creamers! The perfect potato in my opinon. And then with cashew pesto? That right there is just incr-EDIBLEy genius! Pinned!
Dara says
The Creamer potatoes really are awesome, aren’t they? And yes, you can’t beat eating them with cashew pesto!
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
I love that pesto! What a great side dish that could be the star of a meal.
Dara says
Thanks, Erin. I would happily eat a whole pan of these for dinner. 🙂
Stephanie says
Oh yum! I am loving the crust on these mmmmmm!
Dara says
Thank you, Stephanie.
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats says
Wow Dara! This sounds amazing! I am obsessed with red peppers, could put them on everything! Totally need to make this with a big juicy steak! That is called dinner perfection! YUM!
Dara says
I feel the same way about red peppers (and pesto!) And yes, these potatoes are just begging for a steak to accompany them.
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Your pest sounds out of this world good! What a gorgeous side dish!
Ashley @ Wishes & DIshes says
I also love how food brings people together!! It’s so true!! I need to try these potatoes right away!
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
And I’ll bet that pesto is also good on pasta, on pizza or flatbread, dolloped on a hard boiled egg….
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says
My boys love potatoes like there’s no tomorrow!!! I love pesto + potatoes but your red pepper cashew pesto really makes it to a new level. So impressed Dara!
Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living says
What a stunning dish Dara – love the idea of roasted red pepper cashew pesto – brilliant!
TidyMom says
This looks fantastic Dara – we just had little new potatoes with dinner last night just tossed in butter, this would have been SO much better!! next time for sure!
Kristine | Kristine's Kitchen says
I have a serious craving for a big helping of these potatoes! Not only do the potatoes themselves look sooo good, but that roasted pepper and cashew pesto sounds incredible!
Martha @ A Family Feast says
That pesto sounds fantastic! What a great way to jazz up potatoes!
Justine | Cooking and Beer says
Creamer potatoes are my FAVORITE! … and that pesto on top?! This sounds soooo amazing!
heather | girlichef says
Oh, very cool – I didn’t realize the difference between creamers and baby potatoes. These would definitely capture my full attention – they look beyond delicious!
Ginny McMeans says
I am in love! These potatoes look really great and your cashew pesto is to die for. My family is going to be praising me for days!
Megan {Country Cleaver} says
What gorgeous little spuds, Dara!! I’m in heart with this pesto on top of them ,too. I have a LOAD of fresh basil that needs to be picked, I better make some of this stat!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking says
I sure wish they sold their products here! For a country that’s so potato crazy, I don’t understand why we have such little variety. I couldn’t even find basic red potatoes the first few years I was here.
I know I said this yesterday but that pesto really sounds amazing! I can’t wait to try it.
Katerina @ Diethood says
Wow, Dara. This is incredible!! I can definitely see why everyone came around the table. Shoot, I’d leave a Real Housewives marathon for this! Roasted potatoes topped with red pepper pesto… definitely craving this right now.
eat good 4 life says
Holy wow, these looks amazing. The sauce looks insane. Pinning to make soon 🙂
Holly N @ Spend With Pennies says
These look completely amazing! I think potatoes are our favorite side around here!
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says
That roasted red pepper cashew pesto sounds pretty amazing, it would be so good on those potatoes! Pinned!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
My husband is in love with all things potato and I’m in love with pesto right now! Perfect combo for us!
Nicole says
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!
Toni | BoulderLocavore says
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!
Melissa from Hungry Food Love says
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!
Nancy [email protected] says
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!
Colleen (Souffle Bombay) says
I love that…when the whole family has a food moment! You knocked it outta the park with this recipe…Gorgeous & delicious!
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles says
Wow. You’ve taken potatoes to a whole new level. LOVE that cashew pesto!!
Kathie says
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.