Simple Walnut Pesto

This simple walnut pesto is a perfect alternative to the traditional pesto, which uses pine nuts.

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Pesto is a favourite of mine. A beautiful and green nutty sauce that is deceptively easy to make. It is naturally gluten-free so suitable for many diets. It doesn’t have many steps, in fact, it only has two steps. Toast and blend.

You can make this in a food processor or if you are making a small portion, you can use a small food chopper. I like my pesto to have some chunks in it, however that is a personal choice.

For this recipe I am using walnuts, this is for two reasons. The first and obvious one is that they are much cheaper than pine nuts, and a bag goes a long way. The second reason is that I love the nutty flavour they have when toasted.

For the cheese, you have to use a hard cheese. My personal favourite is pecorino, although a lot of people prefer Parmesan. Pecorino is naturally vegetarian which is why I like to use it.

I always start by toasting the nuts, this step is completely optional, however, I highly recommend it. Toasting the nuts brings out their flavours and gives the pesto a deeper flavour.

I like to use extra virgin olive oil, but if the flavour of that is too strong for you, normal olive oil will work just fine. If your pesto is too chunky you can add more olive oil and blend it for a few more seconds.

My favourite thing to have with pesto is pasta. I like to add some pan-fried chicken and mozzarella to it and it’s a family favourite. This pesto is also great in a sandwich, so why not slather it on on a slice of bread loaf and add your favourite fillings? Personally I recommend Mozzarella and fresh tomatoes. What will you be having this walnut pesto with?

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5 from 3 votes

Walnut Pesto

An easy alternative to traditional pesto. This walnut pesto can be whipped up in minutes and is sure to become a family favourite.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time3 minutes mins

Total Time13 minutes mins

Course: Dressing

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Pesto, vegetarian, walnuts

Servings: 3 People

Calories: 447kcal

Author: rominaslittlecorner

Equipment

• Food Processor
• Small Frying Pan

Ingredients

• 90 g Basil leaves and stems
• 2 Garlic Cloves
• 100 ml Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 50 g Pecorino Cheese
• 40 g Walnuts
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 1/4 tsp Black Pepper

Instructions

• Add the walnuts to a dry pan on medium heat
• Toast them for about 5 minutes and then set them aside before adding them to a food processor
• Add all of the ingredients into a food processor and blend until smooth
• Serve with your chosen pasta or bread.