Walnut Basil Pesto Pasta

This Basil Pesto Pasta recipe is the adapted version of the authentic Italian Pesto, to make  it more healthy and kids-friendly. Since kids prefer a milder flavour, I had reduced the quantity of Basil, but added on a good amount of Walnuts and cheese. Hence, the colour turned out to be a lighter green as compared with bright conventional Pesto. Also, I completely omitted Olive oil while blending the Pesto. So, this recipe is absolutely healthy and kids-friendly.

Blogging Marathon - Wk2, Day3

Theme - Pizzas and Pastas

Ingredients:-

Pasta - 1&1/2 cups, any type

Fresh Basil - 1cup,packed

Walnuts - 2-3tblsp

Green chilli - 1-2

Garlic - 1 pod, optional 

Cheese - 3tblsp 

Olive oil - 1tblsp

Cherry Tomato - few

Salt - As needed

Method :-

1.  Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set it aside. Retain some of the water which you may add to the pasta later.

2.  In a blender, pulse Basil (reserve few Basil leaves for garnish), walnuts, cheese, chilli, garlic (if using) and salt into a fine paste by adding just enough water.

3.  Heat oil in a pan, throw in the Basil leaves and tomatoes and saute for a minute until tomato turns slightly mushy. 

4.  Add the cooked Pasta and prepared Basil Pesto and toss to coat well. You may wish to add some Pasta water to adjust the consistency.

5.  Check salt and switch off the flame in about a minute. 

Basil Pesto Pasta is done in less than 15mins. Top it with some grated cheese or plate it and serve as such. It is really a comfort food with great flavour!

Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM#42