Can we talk about pesto? Are you guys as obsessed as I am? I am total pesto hoarder. I put it on EVERYTHING. I use it on fish, throw it on chicken, toss it with some pasta, slather it on some toast with avocado… basically the possibilites are endless.
Here’s something else, sometimes I get way lazy and buy it pre-made from the store. Why? Why do I do such a thing? Because when I get home and start to eat it by the spoonful, I’m always disappointed. It’s never garlicky enough and it sometimes lacks a fresh flavor. And then I think to myself, Gaby you can’t be bothered to throw 5 ingredients in the blender or food processor and then press a button?
So last weekend, in the middle of one of my marathon cooking extravaganzas, I whipped up a massive batch of pesto. Basil Spinach Pesto to be exact. You can’t really even taste the spinach, but it gives the pesto such a BRIGHT green color, more so that when you just use basil, so you totally need it. Plus it’s a super food, so chalk one up for that. I sized down my recipe for you guys… but let’s just say I have about 1 pint worth of pesto in various containers in my fridge and freezer. This way, I will have freshly made Basil Spinach Pesto on hand for at least the next few weeks.
These kinds of things make me happy. And I’m pretty sure it’s going to make you happy too. Plus it’s green… so if you’re celebrating St. Patricks Day this weekend and need something green, just make this and throw it on top of basically anything (except maybe desserts). I’d recommend throwing it into some mashed potatoes with extra parmesan cheese.
Basil Spinach Pesto Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 cups packed basil stems removed
- 1 cup packed spinach
- 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 lemon zested and juiced
- 3/4 cup olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place the basil, spinach, parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon zest and lemon juice in a food processor or heavy duty blender. Pulse for 1 minutes to break everything up.
- Slowly stream in the olive oil while the motor is running. Once everything is incorporated, turn off the blender or food processor and season with salt and pepper. Adjust as needed and transfer the pesto to air tight containers to refrigerate or freeze until ready to use.
One of my favorite pestos!
Ok, I want this on everything! Looks amazing 🙂
Pesto is TEH AWESOME. Yum. I want to eat it right now.
I LOVE pesto anything! I would literally add this to every bread, pasta, you name it!
We always have a container of pesto in the fridge, but I will ‘fess up that sometime it is store-bought. This is one I have to try!
I love to make (and eat) pesto too!!! Yours looks amazing!!!
Love that fresh green color!
Spinach works so well in pesto! I am lovin that vibrant green colour and longing for spring!
I am literally so exited! This recipe doesn’t just sound delicious, it also doesn’t have any nuts in! I love nuts, but I can’t eat them anymore, because my boyfriend is allergic to them, and oh dear do I miss Pesto! Will definitely try this 🙂
This is gorgeous. Now I am TOTALLY craving this, and avocado on toast. like a lot!
I do the same thing with pesto – buy it at the store and then think WHY?! Yours looks just perfect!
Cant’t wait for my basil to grow so I can make some pesto!
I never knew how much I adored pesto until recently and now I am LOVING it!
this needs to happen, asap.
I love pesto, and spinach pesto is my jam! (Not literally. Jam is my jam. Pesto takes the place of everything else.)
Mmmm. I am always looking for ways to incorporate spinach. This looks like a winner as we love pesto!
Love pesto! What a perfect way to celebrate St Patty’s Day 🙂
I could totally go for a big helping of this right now!
Love this! What a perfect idea for St. Patrick’s Day!
I love creative pestos and this one looks delish!
This looks so yummy!! Pesto is delicious and perfect to add to any dish. I can’t wait to try this!
Found my new pesto sauce for this season! Just picked fresh basil from my garden. I love the hint of lemon in the sauce. I also added toasted pine nuts! Thanks for the recipe!
Amazingly delicious! I keep it on hand at all times and put it on almost everything, my favorites include any pizza or salmon.