Stirred into pesto in place of pine nuts Recipe

Italian · Condiment · 15 min total

A simple recipe showing how to substitute pine nuts with toasted walnuts in classic basil pesto for a nutty, budget-friendly twist.

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
• 1/2 cup toasted walnuts
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant. Let cool.
2. In a food processor, combine basil, toasted walnuts, Parmesan, and garlic. Pulse until coarsely chopped.
3. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the pesto is smooth and well combined.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Tips

• For a vegan version, omit Parmesan and add 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast.
• To prevent browning, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pesto before refrigerating.

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