Basil - Walnut Pesto Recipe

So, I was supposed to include this in yesterdays post and forgot, but here's a great recipe for pesto.  I got tired of buying pine nuts to make pesto because they are expensive and I don't use them for anything but pesto.  Now I just use whatever nuts I have around my house.  Walnuts are my favorites right now, but I've used pecans and they are just as delicious as any other nut.  Our basil plants are growing like crazy in our garden, so I'll be making a lot of this over the next month or so. . .

Walnut pesto

2 garlic cloves, peeled
1 cup walnuts (lightly toasted in a 350 F oven if desired)
2 cups fresh basil leaves, washed and dried
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup grated Parmesan
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Put the garlic in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade and pulse until it’s finely chopped. Add the walnuts and pulse again to crush them. Add the basil, salt, pepper, and Parmesan. With the processor running, slowly pour the olive oil through the feed tube and process until the pesto is pureed. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.


I got this recipe online and typed it up in a document, so I can't remember where it came from.  I'm thinking a blog, so please forgive me not giving credit to the owner.  I've altered it to fit my needs, so it's a little different that the original. 

Happy Cooking Everyone!