Pesto, traditionally made with basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil, gets a flavorful makeover with the addition of fresh spinach and toasted walnuts in this recipe. Whether tossed with pasta, spread on sandwiches, or used as a dip, this revamped pesto is sure to add a burst of excitement to your meals. Let’s dive into the recipe and discover a whole new world of pesto possibilities!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of fresh spinach leaves, packed
- 1/2 cup of fresh basil leaves, packed
- 1/2 cup of walnuts, toasted
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a food processor, combine the fresh spinach, basil, toasted walnuts, garlic, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Pulse the ingredients until coarsely chopped, scraping down the sides of the food processor as needed. With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil until the pesto reaches your desired consistency.
- Add the lemon juice and zest to the pesto, and pulse a few more times to combine. Taste the pesto and season with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting the flavors as needed. Transfer the spinach and walnut pesto to a jar or airtight container and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Serve the pesto tossed with cooked pasta, spread on sandwiches, stirred into soups, or used as a dip for fresh vegetables. Enjoy this exciting twist on a classic pesto and savor the vibrant flavors of spinach and toasted walnuts in every bite!
