Recipe: Spicy basil pesto

Fresh herbs make any meal more flavorful and beautiful. Whenever I have an abundance of basil, I always make a batch of my Spicy Fresh Basil Pesto. It comes in handy on those busy weeknights, when I’m searching for a quick and easy recipe. You can add a serving to pasta, salads, eggs, toasted bread, pizza, sandwiches – basically everything. And the best thing about this recipe is that it comes together in less than 10 minutes.

Traditional pesto is typically made with a blend of fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, extra-virgin olive oil and Parmesan cheese, but for this Spicy Fresh Basil Pesto recipe, I decided to put my own spin on it. I added Cajun seasoning for an extra kick of spice, and I used a combination of Parmesan cheese and Romano cheese for extra flavor.

I also used walnuts instead of pine nuts for a few added heart-healthy benefits. Surprisingly, walnuts are significantly higher in omega-3 fatty acids than any other nut, which may help to reduce heart disease and improve brain health.

Spicy Fresh Basil Pesto

Serves: 1 cup

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Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh basil leaves
• ⅓ cup chopped walnuts
• ¼ cup freshly grated Romano cheese
• ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 cloves garlic
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Pulse the basil, walnuts, cheeses and garlic together in a food processor or blender.
• Scrape down the sides, then add the oil and Cajun seasoning.
• Pulse until everything is blended and relatively smooth.
• If desired, add a drizzle more olive oil to thin out.
• Taste and add salt and pepper to taste.
• Store pesto in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days.

Andrea Mathis is a registered dietitian and owner of Beautiful Eats & Things. For more great recipes, visit beautifuleatsandthings.com.