Best 3 Arugula And Walnut Pesto Recipes

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In the culinary world, pesto stands out as a vibrant and versatile sauce, capturing the essence of freshness and flavor. This beloved sauce finds its roots in the enchanting region of Liguria, Italy, where fragrant basil leaves, nutty pine nuts, and sharp pecorino cheese come together in a symphony of tastes. In this delightful exploration, we present two captivating variations of pesto, each adding a unique twist to the classic recipe.

Our first adventure takes us to the Arugula and Walnut Pesto, where the peppery kick of arugula leaves harmonizes beautifully with the earthy undertones of walnuts. This vibrant green sauce bursts with a refreshing flavor, adding a delightful touch to your favorite pasta dishes or grilled vegetables.

Next, we embark on a culinary journey to discover the Pistachio Pesto, a vibrant and nutty creation. This unique variation swaps the traditional pine nuts for the vibrant green pistachios, resulting in a nutty and aromatic sauce. With its distinctive color and flavor, Pistachio Pesto elevates simple dishes to culinary masterpieces, whether paired with pasta, chicken, or even as a flavorful marinade.

So, gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and let's embark on a delectable journey as we delve into the world of pesto, creating two extraordinary sauces that will add a burst of flavor to your culinary creations.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

ARUGULA AND WALNUT PESTO



Arugula and Walnut Pesto image

The strong, meaty flavor of the walnuts balances out the astringency of the arugula, a good blend of flavors.

Provided by Mercy

Categories     Sauces

Time 15m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 cups of packed arugula leaves
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 cup fresh parmesan cheese
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
6 garlic cloves, unpeeled
1/2 garlic clove, peeled and minced

Steps:

  • Brown 6 garlic cloves with their peels on in a skillet over medium high heat until the garlic is lightly browned in places, about 10 minutes. Remove the garlic from the pan, cool, and remove the skins.
  • Toast the nuts in a pan over medium heat until lightly brown, or heat in a microwave on high heat for a minute or two until you get that roasted flavor. In our microwave it takes 2 minutes.
  • Combine the arugula, walnuts, roasted and raw garlic into a food processor. Pulse while drizzling the olive oil into the processor. Remove the mixture from the processor and put it into a bowl. Stir in the Parmesan cheese.
  • Because the pesto is so dependent on the individual ingredients, and the strength of the ingredients depends on the season or variety, test it and add more of the ingredients to taste.
  • Mix with freshly prepared pasta of your choice. You may need to add a little bit of water or more olive oil to mix the pesto more evenly with the pasta.
  • Makes enough pesto sauce for an ample serving of pasta for four people.

PENNE WITH ARUGULA AND WALNUT PESTO



Penne with Arugula and Walnut Pesto image

Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 27m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, eyeball it
2 cloves cracked garlic
12 ounces arugula, stems removed
1/2 cup walnut pieces or 2/3 cup walnut halves, toasted
1/4 teaspoon ground or grated nutmeg
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
1 pound penne rigate (with lines) pasta
1/3 pound fresh green beans, cut into thirds

Steps:

  • In a small saucepan over medium heat cook garlic in oil 5 minutes, then remove pan from stove top. Fill the food processor with arugula, loosely packed. Add walnuts and 1/2 of the warm oil and both cloves of garlic to the arugula in the processor. Add nutmeg, salt and pepper to the processor bowl, set lid in place and pulse grind the mixture into a thick paste. Add any remaining arugula to the processor and grind into the paste by pulsing the processor again. Transfer arugula paste to a large pasta bowl. Stir in the remaining oil and the cheese. Taste pesto sauce and adjust seasonings.
  • While cooking penne to package directions for al dente, watch the time. After about 6 minutes, add green beans to the pasta pot. The beans will cook along with pasta the last 2 or 3 minutes. Drain pasta and beans together in a colander then transfer hot pasta and beans to the pasta bowl with the pesto in the bottom. Toss pasta and beans with pesto for 2 to 3 minutes to combine and evenly coat the pasta and beans with the pesto sauce. Serve immediately.

PAPPARDELLE WITH SUMMER SQUASH AND ARUGULA-WALNUT PESTO



PAPPARDELLE WITH SUMMER SQUASH AND ARUGULA-WALNUT PESTO image

Categories     Pasta     Steam     Summer

Yield 4 to 6 people

Number Of Ingredients 9

3/4 C walnut halves
4 C packed arugula leaves (4 oz)
3/4 C EVOO
1/2 t finely grated garlic
1/2 C freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano plus shavings for garnish
Kosher salt & p
12 oz pappardelle or other broad pasta
3 firm, fresh medium zucchini and/or yellow squash 1 1/4 lbs, very thinly sliced lengthwise on a mandolin
3 T fresh lemon juice

Steps:

  • 1. In a small skillet, toast the walnuts over low heat until golden, (5 minutes). Finely chop 1/2 C of the walnuts; coarsely chop the rest for garnish. 2. In a food processor, pulse 2 cups of the arugula until finely chopped; scrape into a large bowl and stir in the 34 cup of olive oil, garlic, grated cheese and finely chopped walnuts. Season the pesto with s & p. 3. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pappardelle until al dente. Drain the pasta and add to the pesto in the bowl. Add the zucchini and toss to evenly coat. Stir in the lemon juice and the remaining 2 C of arugula and season with s & p. Transfer the pasta to a platter, drizzle with EVOO and garnish with the coarsley chopped walnuts and cheese shavings.

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your pesto.
  • Toast the walnuts before using them. This will bring out their flavor and make them more fragrant.
  • Use a food processor or blender to make your pesto. This will give it a smooth and creamy texture.
  • Add a little bit of lemon juice or vinegar to your pesto. This will help to brighten the flavor and keep it from tasting too oily.
  • Use pesto as a sauce for pasta, pizza, or grilled vegetables. It can also be used as a dip for bread or crackers.

Conclusion:

Arugula and walnut pesto is a delicious and versatile sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is easy to make and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. The next time you are looking for a quick and easy way to add flavor to your meal, try making arugula and walnut pesto. You won't be disappointed!

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