Healthy Pesto

This healthy Pesto is definitely not the same kind of stuff that you can buy in a jar at the supermarket... This super bright, fresh and herby green sauce is something else entirely. It is peppery, garlicky and nutty, and you can make the recipe with all sorts of things instead of or as well as basil; spinach or rocket with some other green herbs would work really well. It is perfect for pasta, goes brilliantly with a piece of chicken and can easily cheer up a simple piece of grilled fish... and although it does contain some fat; it is definitely the very good for you variety. After all, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Nuts have both been proven to contain lots of 'heart healthy' cholesterol.

Ingredients

  • 3 or 4 Cloves Garlic
  • Large Handful Pine Nuts
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Pepper
  • Lemon
  • Basil
  • Spinach

You can either whizz stuff up in a food processor… or squash, crush and chop everything.  One option is quicker and easier, but doesn’t allow as much smashing around in the kitchen, which is occasionally much more fun…

[To make a dressing, whether you use a Pestle & Mortar or a food processor - keep the 'vessel' you made the Pesto in, squeeze some Lemon Juice or a spoonful of Red Wine Vinegar in; swoosh around and you should have quite a nice dressing with all the little bits of flavour left around the bowl or jug...]

So…. Whizz up 2 large handfuls of Basil, 1 of Spinach, 3 Cloves Garlic (use as much as you fancy), 1 handful Pine Nuts, some ground Black Pepper, a slow drizzle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and a really good squeeze of Lemon Juice.  Taste to season… if you want it saltier you could add a couple of Anchovies too?  The Pesto may need more Lemon Juice (or you could use Red Wine Vinegar although am sure this is desperately inauthentic…)

This healthy Pesto recipe will keep in a jar for a few days – but is definitely nicest fresh and the same day you made it

Is super delicious with new potatoes (with boiled eggs too) – also really good with pasta (don’t forget to add some pasta cooking water to ensure you get a thinner creamy sauce)

Also great as a Salsa – with grilled meat or fish

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