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5 from 1 vote

Lightened Up Basil Walnut Pesto

A vibrant, summery traditional basil pesto, made with walnuts. Comes together in 5 minutes and will put a touch of gourmet into any meal.
Prep Time5 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Servings: 16 tablespoons
Calories: 36kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 cups basil fresh, loosely packed
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup walnuts
  • 1-2 cloves garlic minced
  • sea salt & fresh ground black pepper to taste, I used less than 1/8 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

  • Wash the basil and remove the leaves from the stems.
  • Add basil to the blender, and blend using a tamper stick until the leaves are broken up. If using a standard blender, push the leaves down several times and start again.
  • Once the leaves are broken up, add lemon juice, olive oil, and water. Blend until the basil and liquids become a paste.
  • Add the parmesan, walnuts, and minced garlic. Start by adding a pinch of sea salt and a few turns of black pepper. Once it's blended, taste, and adjust seasonings to taste.
  • Use as a dip, spread, or topping for a variety of foods.

Nutrition

Calories: 36kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 25mg | Potassium: 28mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 329IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg