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Algerian Orange Mint Pesto is a unique, untraditional pesto made with herbs, mandarin oranges, and citrus and is perfect for pasta, coating meat or making this delicate crostini.

But this pesto – damn. It’s from Ally Phillips’ new cookbook, Ally’s Kitchen – A Passport for Adventurous Palates.

I recently posted these burgers from her book, which were outstanding, but I couldn’t wait to make something else from it. 

This just so happened to be blog worthy, as well.

Ally, you make it really hard for us wannabe-cookbook-writers.

You’re a hard act to follow.

I’m just sayin’.

This pesto, combined with melty Gruyere cheese and fresh tomatoes on little toasts make a fantastic little crostini.

How is Algerian Orange Mint Pesto Unique?

Algerian Orange Mint Pesto is definitely not your typical pesto. I think most all pestos have complex flavors, but this one is really has a multidimensional flavor profile.

My 16-year-old daughter found my stash in the fridge today – she’s a huge pesto fan – and she put it on ziti.

She was in LOVE.

The first thing she said was, “Momma, there’s so many different flavors in this, it’s SO good!”.

Yep…orange, lemon, mint, etc., and you get some nice heat from the chili flakes and cumin. This is something you want to keep in mind when you want to impress some dinner guests.

Wait, screw that.

Just keep it all to yourself.

Here’s your printable-

Continue to Content

Algerian Orange Mint Pesto Crostini

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Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

Orange Mint Pesto:

• 1 cup mint leaves
• 1 cup parsley
• 1 cup cilantro
• 1 small bunch chives
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 tsp. red chili flakes
• 1 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp ground pepper
• 3 tbsp. balsamic glaze (I actually used balsamic vinaigrette)
• 2 tbsp. minced garlic
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 3 tbsp. lemon zest
• 3 slices bread
• 1/3 cup drained Dole mandarin oranges (reserve juice)
• 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tbsp. pine nuts

Crostini:

• French baguette, sliced thin
• Gruyere cheese, sliced
• Plum tomatoes, diced

Instructions

1. Combine mint leaves, parsley, cilantro, chives, cumin, red chili flakes, salt, pepper, balsamic glaze, minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice and zest, bread and mandarin oranges in a food processor.
2. Pulse for 2-3 minutes, until a thick mixture is formed. If the mixture seems too thick, add some of the reserved mandarin orange juice until it's a pesto like consistency.
3. Garnish with a drizzle of olive oil and pine nuts.
4. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
5. Slather the pesto on slices of the baguette, top with cheese.
6. Place in oven for 3-5 minutes, until cheese has melted.
7. Top with tomatoes and serve.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 282Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 845mgCarbohydrates: 35gFiber: 3gSugar: 8gProtein: 11g

The provided nutrition calculated may not always be accurate.

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