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Spinach Walnut Pesto Recipe

An Alternative to Basil Pesto

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Course: Condiments
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • olive oil
  • 4 ounces spinach washed and dried
  • salt & pepper
  • 2 tablespoons shallot finely minced
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 4 tablespoons shelled walnuts finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons capers finely chopped
  • ⅔ cups grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Gather all the ingredients and prep as necessary.
  2. In a medium non-stick pan, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium heat until the oil is hot.
  3. Add the spinach, season with salt & pepper, and saute until the spinach wilts - about 2 - 3 minutes. STIR FREQUENTLY
  4. When done, transfer cooked spinach to a strainer and strain over the sink or into a bowl as much of the liquid as you can by pressing down on the spinach with a wooden or plastic serving spoon.
  5. Discard the liquid and transfer the spinach to a cutting board.
  6. Finely chop the drained spinach and transfer to a bowl.
  7. Add 4 tablespoons of the minced shallot plus the vinegar to the bowl.
  8. Add the walnuts, capers and Parmesan cheese to the bowl and stir to combine.
  9. Season with salt & pepper to taste.
  10. The goal is to make a rough paste by adding a little olive oil at a time until you have a nice consistency of pesto. You may even want to try using a mortar & pestle or food processor to create an even finer texture.

Notes

  • Your pesto is now ready to serve as a garnish with fish or chicken or you may want to use it in some of your favorite pesto dishes like pasta or salads.