Heart-Healthy Classic Green Pesto
Elevate your meals with this Heart-Healthy Classic Green Pesto, a lighter twist on the traditional recipe that doesn’t skimp on flavor. Bursting with fresh basil, nutrient-rich baby spinach, and heart-friendly walnuts, this easy no-cook sauce is blended to perfection with extra virgin olive oil, zesty lemon juice, and a touch of Parmesan for creamy richness. Ready in just 10 minutes, this vibrant pesto offers a smooth and herbaceous punch that's perfect for pastas, sandwiches, roasted veggies, or as a dip. With toasted walnuts substituting for pine nuts, this recipe delivers a nutty depth while being packed with omega-3s, making it as nutritious as it is delicious. Perfect for meal prep, this versatile pesto can be stored in the fridge for up to a week, letting you effortlessly add a fresh, flavorful touch to your favorite dishes.
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Ingredients
- 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup Baby spinach leaves
- 0.5 cup Walnuts
- 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese
- 2 large Garlic cloves
- 0.5 cup Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
Directions
Step 1
Begin by washing the fresh basil and spinach leaves under cold water to remove any dirt. Pat them dry with paper towels or use a salad spinner.
Step 2
In a dry skillet, lightly toast the walnuts over medium heat for about 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently until they become fragrant. Remove from heat and let them cool slightly.
Step 3
Peel the garlic cloves and chop them roughly to make blending easier.
Step 4
In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, spinach leaves, toasted walnuts, Parmesan cheese, and garlic. Pulse several times until the mixture begins to combine and break down.
Step 5
With the food processor running on low speed, slowly pour in the extra virgin olive oil in a steady stream. This helps emulsify the sauce to a smooth consistency.
Step 6
Scrape down the sides of the food processor with a spatula and add the lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Pulse again until all the ingredients are fully combined to your desired consistency.
Step 7
Taste the pesto and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more salt or lemon juice to taste.
Step 8
Transfer the pesto to a clean jar or airtight container and chill in the refrigerator until ready to use. It can be stored for up to one week.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (287.6g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1490.8 |
| Total Fat 158.6g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 24.2g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 28.3g | |
| Cholesterol 22.2mg | 0% |
| Sodium 1360.3mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 16.5g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 6.4g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 2.0g | |
| Protein 19.9g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 376.6mg | 0% |
| Iron 3.9mg | 0% |
| Potassium 574.6mg | 0% |
Source of Calories