Try this super quick and easy Basil Walnut Pesto for a fresh and healthy dip, sauce or topping for chicken, pasta, and sandwiches. The possibilities are endless!
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Fresh and Easy Basil Walnut Pesto + Basil Growing Tips
I love using homegrown garden herbs and vegetables to make easy and delicious recipes such as this Basil Walnut Pesto. If you don’t grow your own basil, no worries, you can pick up some at your local grocery store, but it’s certainly cheaper (and a lot more fun) to grow your own.
You can even grow it on your windowsill if you don’t have a garden, just make sure you pick leaves from it regularly and don’t let it flower and go to seed or it will stop producing. The more you harvest from your basil plant, the bushier and fuller it will get.
What’s the best way to use Basil Walnut Pesto?
Pesto is super easy to make and is so versatile. You can literally add it to almost anything. Some of my favorite ways to use this Basil Walnut Pesto are as a sandwich spread or as a sauce for pasta, chicken or shrimp. Check out the links below for more ideas and let me know in the comments below your favorite way to use Pesto.
Need Recipes Using Pesto? Here are some of my favorites:
Slow Cooker Pesto Chicken and Rice
Easy Pesto Lasagna Roll-Ups
Shrimp Pesto Pasta
Pesto Chicken Sandwich on Sourdough
Can the extra Pesto be frozen?
Yes! If you make more than you can use in one meal, then you can easily freeze the rest for later. The most convenient way to do this is to freeze the extra in an ice cube tray and then transfer the frozen cubes to a labeled freezer bag. This method allows you to use as little or as much as you need at a time whenever you need it. This is also great if you grow your own basil and need to preserve it while it’s in season.
Now on to the recipe friends, I know you will enjoy this Homemade Basil Walnut Pesto as much as my family does. Have a great day!
How to Make Basil Walnut Pesto:
Toast walnuts by placing on a microwave safe plate. Microwave for 30 seconds.
Stir and microwave again for another 30 seconds or until walnuts smell fragrant.
Do not overcook. Allow walnuts to cool slightly. (You may also toast in the oven.)
Place basil, 1 tablespoon olive oil, walnuts, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper in a food processor or high speed blender.
Turn food processor or blender on and drizzle with additional olive oil as the mixture processes until the desired consistency is reached.
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Basil Walnut Pesto
Ingredients
- 3 cups fresh sweet basil leaves packed
- 2 cloves garlic peeled
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ cup walnuts Pine nuts may be substituted for a more traditional pesto.
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
- ¼ cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper if desired
Instructions
- Toast walnuts by placing on a microwave safe plate. Microwave for 30 seconds.
- Stir and microwave again for another 30 seconds or until walnuts smell fragrant.
- Do not overcook. Allow walnuts to cool slightly. (You may also toast in the oven.)
- Place basil, 1 tablespoon olive oil, walnuts, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper in a food processor or high speed blender.
- Turn food processor or blender on and drizzle with additional olive oil as the mixture processes until the desired consistency is reached.
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