Pauls Favorite Spinach Walnut Pesto Recipes

SPINACH WALNUT PESTO SAUCE FOR PASTA

Steps:

• Prepare a 12 oz. package of gluten free spaghetti noodles (or any noodles if not gluten free) according to package instructions. Drain the pasta once cooked.If using gluten free pasta, cook the noodles just until al dente. Gluten free noodles can easily become mushy and it's very important not to overcook them.

SPINACH PESTO

Steps:

• Place the first 6 ingredients in a food processor; cover and pulse until chopped. Add the walnuts, lemon juice and zest; cover and process until blended. While processing, gradually add oil in a steady stream., Serve desired amount of pesto with pasta. Transfer remaining pesto to ice cube trays. Cover and freeze up to 1 month., To use frozen pesto: Thaw in the refrigerator for 3 hours. Serve with pasta.

SPINACH WALNUT PESTO

Steps:

• Place spinach, Parmesan cheese, parsley, walnuts, water, garlic, salt, and pepper in a food processor; blend until well combined. Pour in oil slowly, while processor is running, until mixture forms a smooth paste.

SPAGHETTI WITH SPINACH & WALNUT PESTO

Steps:

• Whizz the garlic, walnuts, herbs, lemon zest and juice with some seasoning in a food processor until finely chopped.
• Cook the spaghetti following pack instructions, then drain reserving a little of the cooking water. Return to the pan and stir in the pesto, raisins and spinach with a splash of cooking water. Serve with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, if you like.

FUSILLI WITH SPINACH WALNUT PESTO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to boil for pasta.
• Pulse the spinach, basil, walnuts, garlic, and salt in a food processor. Pour in 1 1/2 cups of the olive oil in a slow, steady stream. Process to make a smooth paste, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• Pour the fusilli into the boiling water, and cook until al dente. Scrape half of the pesto into a large skillet, and add 1 cup pasta water (no need to heat the sauce). Use a spider to drain the pasta and transfer to the skillet. Toss to coat the pasta with the pesto. Drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Toss with the grated cheese and serve.
• notes
• You can freeze the remaining half of the pesto for future use. Just pack it into a plastic container and pour a thin film of olive oil over the top. Thaw in refrigerator before using. Or you can cut the recipe in half, if you just want enough for 1 pound of pasta.

SPINACH LASAGNA WITH WALNUT PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil a 9 x 13-inch baking pan. If using fresh spinach, chop it fine. If using frozen, chopped spinach, make sure it is thoroughly defrosted and squeeze out all of the excess water.
• Place the ricotta or cottage cheese in a large bowl. Stir in the spinach, pesto, garlic, salt, pepper, half the Parmesan, and the walnuts. Mix well. Spread half the tomato sauce in the bottom of the pan. Place a layer of uncooked noodles over the sauce. Spoon about 1/3 of the ricotta or cottage filling in dabs over the noodles (you can spread it a little, but not too much) and sprinkle with 1/3 of the grated mozzarella. Follow with another layer of sauce, then noodles, followed by another 1/3 of the filling, and another 1/3 of the mozzarella. Repeat one more time, and then finish up with a final layer of noodles. You will have some Parmesan left over.
• If you are using fresh noodles, bake uncovered. If you are using dried noodles, cover the pan tightly with foil.
• Bake for 50 minutes, uncovering the pan (if applicable) during the last 15 minutes, during which time you can sprinkle on the reserved Parmesan. (In the case of the uncovered pan, if the top of the lasagna becomes as brown as you like it before the full baking time is up, cover loosely with foil and continue baking, so it wont get too dark.) Remove from the oven and let cool for about 10 minutes before serving.
• Walnut Pesto: Place the basil leaves and garlic in a food processor or blender, and mix well.
• Add the walnuts, and continue to blend until the walnuts are finely ground.
• Keep the machine running as you drizzle in the olive oil. When you have a smooth paste, transfer to a bowl, and stir in the Parmesan. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• If you are not going to use the pesto right away, place in a container that has a tight-fitting lid. Smooth out the top surface of the pesto, and pour on enough olive oil to cover it completely. This creates an air-proof seal that helps preserve it well. Cover tightly and store in the refrigerator.