Lately, I’ve been craving pesto but have gone through all of my basil pesto that I made and stored away last summer. Unfortunately, my basil hasn’t come in for major use. What has been plentiful lately at my grocery store has been fresh arugula. I decided to make a arugula and walnut pesto to fill my pesto cravings.
Just a few simple ingredients are needed to make this pesto – arugula, walnuts, garlic, olive oil, salt and Parmesan.
I think the garlic makes pesto.
Don’t you?
I threw the arugula and garlic into the bowl of my Kitchenaid food processor. Let me just tell you, this food processor makes quick work of making pesto and anything else you toss its way. It has a permanent place on my countertop beside its stand mixer brother I use it so much.
This 13-cup food processor is a definite work-horse. With an external adjustable slicing lever, it makes using a food processor a whole lot easier for adjusting from thick to thin slices and then back again if needed. I have to admit, I had fun just slicing stalks of celery when I first got the food processor, just so I could watch it switch back and forth from thick to thin as I slid the lever.
I added in the walnuts, salt, and then poured olive oil through the ultra-wide feed tube of the food processor.
At the very end, I added Parmesan cheese, gave it one more quick pulse.
Doesn’t that look so fresh and delicious?
I think I could eat it every day.
For this recipe, I used the 13-cup work bowl. You could easily reduce the recipe and make in the 4-cup mini prep bowl if you are only making a small portion. This ratio of the ingredients will stay the same.
Here’s how I make it.
Arugula and Walnut Pesto ~ it doesn't get much better!
Ingredients
- 4 cups arugula
- 2-3 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup walnuts
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 - 1 cup olive oil
- 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
http://addapinch.com/cooking/2012/05/02/arugula-and-walnut-pesto-recipe/
- Add arugula, garlic, walnuts, and salt to the bowl of a food processor.
- Turn food processor on and begin slowly pouring olive oil through the chute of the machine, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- Store in the refrigerator for a few days or freeze in ice cube trays and then store in zip top bags for a few months.
- Add Parmesan cheese to pesto when ready to use.
Copyright © Add a Pinch. All Rights Reserved.
You really need this in your life.
Make it very soon.
Umkay?
Disclosure: I was provided the Kitchenaid 13-cup food processor for review. All opinions are 100% my own.
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This sounds so yummy!!
I have never made Pesto. What in the world am I waiting for? This looks fantastic!
I love pesto and I love the idea of switching it up now and then. YUM!
I like me some pesto. Need to try this one soon. So healthy too!
Fabulous pesto, Robyn. I would have never thought to combine arugula and walnut to make such a unique pesto. Lovely with pasta, I bet!
Yum, I love pesto!
What fab photos, my friend! And pesto out of arugula is so brilliant. Love that idea!
I’m new to cooking and I’m wondering what would I use a pesto for?
This recipes seems very simple to make but what would I use it on?
Thanks,
Evelyn A.
Hi Evie! It’s great to keep on hand in the refrigerator as it keeps well and then you can just quickly spoon it into hot or cold pasta (I posted a new recipe today with it), spread it onto a pizza and then top with chicken and cheese, spread it onto toasted bread with sliced tomatoes, basil and balsamic vinegar, or even use it as a spread on toasted sandwiches. I also like to toss roasted red potatoes with it for a quick variation on a potato salad. Delicious! Once you start experimenting with it, you’ll find any number of ways you like to eat it. I can’t wait to hear what you try! Enjoy!
Oh, I just love playing around with different pesto flavors! And, I don’t think I’ve used arugula yet. I will fix that very soon… I expect we’ll be getting arugula in our first CSA box in a week or two!
Lovely, lovely photos!!! Fantastic recipe! Thanks Robyn!! Well done!
How funny I just made a big batch of pesto this weekend! Next time I’m making your arugula version.
Yum! I was just thinking about pesto the other day because I was craving chicken pesto pizza!