Basil and walnut pesto to stir through pasta, dollop on potatoes or whisk into a salad dressing.
When I first moved into my current house I went ahead an planted a variety of herbs and veggies in my new found space. I’ve never been able to grow edible plants – either the possums ate them, or they simply died. I have far from a green thumb, let me tell you.
What I’ve since learned is that it’s all about adequate sunlight and consistent watering! As a result (shockingly) my basil plant has gone crazy! After giving it a decent haircut, this much basil calls for a homemade pesto.
Basil pesto is quite cheap to purchase, but the zingy, vibrant flavour from freshly made pesto is pretty unbeatable. You can be quite creative with pesto too – the basis of the recipe is a green leaf + a nut + oil. I’ve made this recipe subbing in rocket in place of the basil and pine nuts instead of walnuts. You’re after a textured but luscious green paste that can be used in a variety of dishes.
My favourite ways to use a pesto:
- Smeared on to grilled chicken with mozzarella and fresh tomatoes
- Whisked into a little cream for a decadent pasta or gnocchi sauce
- Dolloped on to potatoes alongside sour cream
Enjoy, Andrea x
Basil and Walnut Pesto
Basil and walnut pesto to stir through pasta, dollop on potatoes or whisk into a salad dressing.
- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 5 mins
- Yield: ⅔ cup of pesto 1x
- Category: Savoury
- Cuisine: Condiments
Ingredients
- ½ cup walnuts
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 cups basil
- ½ cup grated parmesan or parmigiano reggiano
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup olive oil
Instructions
- In a food processor or high-powered blender add walnuts, garlic, basil, parmesan, lemon zest and salt.
- Begin processing as you drizzle in the olive oil. Pesto should slowly come together to form a textured paste.
- Serve stirred through pasta, dolloped on to crunchy roast potatoes or smeared on grilled chicken with mozzarella and tomatoes. To store, decant into an airtight jar. Can be kept in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Are you after ideas for how to use this pesto? Try my pesto broccoli salad or creamy pesto chicken bagel.
