This has got to be the absolute easiest thing I make. And the kids LOVE it! What more could this mom ask for?
Before you skip over this recipe because you see the word “pesto” – remember that not all pestos are created equal. There are many allergy friendly varieties out there. Trust me, you won’t miss the nuts or the cheese. I promise. And it’s not difficult to make your own at all. I luckily have access to two pre-made basil pestos that are allergy friendly within a five minute walk from my home – benefits of city living. I do make my own pesto from time to time, but since a safe AND fresh pre-made variety is so readily available (a rarity that I really must take advantage of) I usually spend my cooking efforts elsewhere.
If you’re the do-it-yourself kind, here are some good allergy free pesto recipes for you to browse and find the right one for your family.
Basil Pesto – From The Keen Kitchen
Avocado Pesto – From Choosing Raw, this would be divine with salmon I’m sure!
Sunflower Pesto – From Choosing Raw
Sorry for the TERRIBLE photo!
Tuna Pesto Pasta
1 package pasta noodles of your choice
2 small cans of chunk light tuna (which contains the least amount of mercury) or 1 large can wild salmon
6 ounces pesto (watch out for nut and dairy contamination – we use LeGrand Garden)
Boil the noodles according to the package until al dente. Drain the water and rinse with cold water. Drain the tuna, flake and add to the pasta. Add the pesto to the pasta and tuna, toss to coat.
That’s it. Done. Finito.
Very useful tips…
This is a dish I would make exclusively for myself…it’s perfect! Unfortunately, my husband and one son do not like tuna and my other son is allergic to fish! I ususally make my own pesto (nut and dairy allergies). I just whir up some basil, salt, pepper, garlic and olive oil in the food processor. It freezes well in ice cube trays for quick go to pesto. I make it, sans the tuna, as a side dish in the summer with bbq’d chicken. Freezing them in cubes is a great way to use all the basil, parsely and oregano I have in the garden come fall. I noticed the company does do a pesto with nuts and dairy and one with walnuts…any cross contamination issues at the facility to worry about? Didn’t see anything on the website…might be able to purchase at Whole Foods in Toronto…if I ever get there!
Love the idea of pesto in ice cube trays. Brilliant! Thankfully my son isn’t anaphylactic and he rarely has any reaction from cross contamination that I can tell as I haven’t been very prudent in that area. So far he’s been fine, thankfully!
Hi Jennifer! Thanks for the link love
Of course! I was searching for a good allergy free pesto and that’s how I found you. I can’t believe I haven’t come across your site before now. So happy to have found you and look forward to more of your recipes. Do you want to join my blog hop/link up? http://itchylittleworld.wordpress.com/blog-hop/
Jennifer
Yes, please! I’ll add you to my blogroll right now!
Great! Just added you as well.