SZND by Katoya  /  From My Kitchen
From the garden · Late summer

Cajun pesto.

Fresh basil harvest meets bold Southern flavor. I only get to make this every now and then, because I prefer to grow the basil myself. Last Labor Day it became steak and Cajun pesto pasta.

Food processor No cooking, just toasting Pasta · chicken · seafood · veggies
Cajun pesto ingredients laid out: fresh basil, olive oil, pecans and pine nuts, parmesan, garlic, half a lemon and small bowls of spices
Everything that goes in, from the garden to the spice rack.

Ingredients

The basil is the only real measurement. Everything else goes in to taste, the way I cook.

  • About 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
  • Garlic cloves
  • Pecans and pine nuts, toasted
  • Grated parmesan
  • Olive oil
  • Fresh lemon
  • Cajun seasoning
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Method

Food processor or blender. Taste as you go.

  1. Pick the basil leaves off the stems, then wash and dry them.
  2. Toast the pecans and pine nuts in a dry pan until they smell nutty. Let them cool.
  3. Add the basil, garlic, toasted nuts, parmesan, a squeeze of lemon and Cajun seasoning to the food processor and pulse.
  4. Stream in olive oil until it's as smooth as you like it.
  5. Taste and adjust: more Cajun seasoning for heat, more lemon for brightness, salt and pepper to finish.
  6. Chill it in the fridge while you make the rest of dinner.
Serve it withPasta, chicken, seafood or vegetables. My Labor Day dinner was steak and Cajun pesto pasta.
Extra basil?My harvest gave me a lot more than 2 cups. Blanch the extra and freeze it for later recipes, or dry it.
Grow your ownStart with basil starts, even the ones on the clearance rack. Water them, pinch the tops, and cut often.
A bowl of cavatappi tossed in Cajun pesto with sliced grilled steak, a purple vase and lily behind it
Garden to table: steak and Cajun pesto pasta, Labor Day 2025.

Print recipe

Come cook with me

A new SZND recipe every Saturday this fall.

Follow along for soups, sides, and everything coming out of my kitchen this season.

Follow @szndbykatoya Watch on TikTok More from SZND