Pesto is one of my favorite condiments - the aromatic sweetness of basil contrasting with the kick from the raw garlic is perfect to jazz up many savory dishes. It’s a wonderful spread for toasts and sandwiches, can be used as salad dressing, or as a sauce for pasta. The possibilities are endless! However, it is fairly high in calories owing to the cheese, oil and nuts that are typically used to make pesto sauce. I wanted to cut down on some of those ingredient quantities and also add some healthier greens. This spinach walnut pesto is a modification of the delicious basil pesto recipe. Check notes at the bottom for recipes using pesto sauce.
Ingredients:
1½ cups packed fresh baby spinach
¼ - ½ cup fresh basil leaves
2-3 cloves of garlic, roughly chopped
¼ cup walnuts
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and ground black pepper for seasoning
Pulse the spinach, basil, garlic, walnuts and cheese in a food processor until a coarsely ground mixture is formed. With the food processor running, add oil and process until combined. Season with salt and pepper.
Use in your favorite recipe, or make a delicious healthy snack with pesto as a dipping sauce for carrots and sweet peppers.
Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
~Gayatri
Notes:
Some delicious recipes you could make with the spinach walnut pesto:
A healthier pesto recipe thats just as delicious as the original - spinach walnut pestohttp://cooksofcakeandkindness.blogspot.com/2015/12/spinach-walnut-pesto.html
Posted by The Cooks of Cake and Kindness on Sunday, December 20, 2015
