Presto Pesto!

Presto Pesto!
img_1747So this box inspired me to try my hand at pesto. I’d read that you can create pesto with pretty much any nut and any green, but I didn’t believe it until tonight. Instead of the classic and fairly expensive pine nut pesto I used walnuts. Don’t have walnuts on hand? You can use pecans, pistachios, pine nuts, hazelnuts, almonds- really any nut! Then throw in your basil and some spinach and presto! You have pesto! I’ll warn you that a food processor works much better than a magic bullet. The magic bullet needs a good bit of liquid to work its magic, but it is possible. Just keep adding water in slow increments and it’ll go. Want to try some other combinations? Check out this website that’s basically a create your own pesto guide! http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/articles/mix-and-match-pesto.html
Let us know what combinations you try out!

Servings: 1 cup of pesto (Plenty for a pasta meal for 4!)

Ingredients:

  • 1/3 cup walnuts
  • 2 cups basil
  • 1 cup spinach
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup oil
  • Approx. 1/2-3/4  cup water

Directions:

  • Toast walnuts in a sauce pan on the stove until they brown (3-4 mins on high)
  • Place in food processor/ magic bullet and pulse till finely ground
  • Add in cheese and pulse
  • Add in garlic, basil, and oil and pulse (If using magic bullet it might be too thick so add in water if it won’t blend together)
  • Add in spinach and any more water necessary to make it blend together
  • Add in more water if too thick