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arugula pesto recipe

Arugula Pesto Recipe with Walnuts

Barbara Felicità Lucchini
Arugula pesto is a flavorful sauce that adds a unique twist to many types of pasta, from spaghetti and tagliatelle to rigatoni and even gnocchi.
Unlike the classic basil pesto, arugula pesto has a slightly bitter taste, which comes from the arugula (also known as rocket). However, the bitterness is balanced beautifully by the rich, nutty flavor of walnuts.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 7 minutes
Cook Time 2 minutes
Total Time 9 minutes
Course Sauce
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 701 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 100 g arugula - 3.5 oz
  • 80 g walnuts - ~3 oz, shelled
  • 30 g Parmigiano Reggiano - 3 tablespoons
  • 30 g Pecorino Romano - 3 tablespoons
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 250 ml olive oil - 1 cup, extra virgin
  • 2-3 ice cubes

Instructions
 

  • Place the walnuts in a dry pan over medium heat. Let them toast for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure they don't burn.
  • Once toasted, transfer the walnuts to a blender or food processor.
  • Add the Parmigiano-Reggiano and Pecorino cheeses to the blender. Also, toss in a peeled garlic clove.
  • Pour in half of the olive oil to start. Blend the mixture on high speed for about 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Add the arugula salad. To keep the arugula’s vibrant green color, add a couple of ice cubes to the blender.
  • Blend everything together on high speed for about 5 minutes, or until the pesto is creamy and smooth. As you blend, slowly drizzle in the remaining olive oil.
  • Once your arugula pesto is ready, transfer it to a small bowl. This pesto is perfect for tossing with your favorite pasta. When mixing the pesto with pasta, you may need to add a little bit of the pasta cooking water to help the pesto coat the pasta evenly. You can also drizzle in some extra olive oil for a smoother texture.

Nutrition

Serving: 100gCalories: 701kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 9gFat: 74gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 16gMonounsaturated Fat: 45gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 219mgPotassium: 197mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 687IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 230mgIron: 1mg
Keyword arugula pesto recipe
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