Best Parsley Walnut Pesto Quinoa Salad Recipes

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WALNUT AND PARSLEY PESTO



Walnut and Parsley Pesto image

I hope this walnut and parsley version serves as a reminder that 'pesto' is not a recipe, but a technique. The buttery walnuts temper the fire of the mashed garlic and pair beautifully with the aromatic, bittersweet parsley. Use on toasted bread, pizza or pasta, or on roasted chicken--it's that versatile!

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Appetizers and Snacks     Dips and Spreads Recipes

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 7

4 cloves garlic, sliced
1 large pinch kosher salt, plus more to taste
½ cup chopped raw walnuts
½ cup chopped Italian parsley
Juice from one lemon
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
water, if needed

Steps:

  • Place garlic and salt in a mortar; smash and mash with the pestle until it becomes a paste, 5 to 8 minutes. Add walnuts; mash walnuts into a paste until you reach your desired texture (coarse or smoother), another 5 to 8 minutes. Add parsley and mash to break up and blend with the walnut/garlic mixture, about 4 minutes. Add lemon juice and olive oil; stir, mash, and emulsify liquids into the mixture until it becomes very thick and well blended, 8 to 10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings. If mixture seems too thick, whisk in a tablespoon of water, or as needed.
  • Spread on bread, use on pizza or pasta, or on roasted chicken. The taste is just like garlic butter, so use it as such.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 84.9 calories, Carbohydrate 2.4 g, Fat 8.3 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 1.4 g, SaturatedFat 0.9 g, Sodium 77.6 mg, Sugar 0.4 g

PESTO QUINOA SALAD



Pesto Quinoa Salad image

My daughter-in-law got me hooked on quinoa, and I'm so glad she did! I've been substituting quinoa in some of my favorite pasta recipes, and this dish is the happy result of one of those experiments. I love using my garden tomatoes and peppers in this salad; however, sun-dried tomatoes and roasted red peppers are equally delicious. -Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 25m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

2/3 cup water
1/3 cup quinoa, rinsed
2 tablespoons prepared pesto
1 tablespoon finely chopped sweet onion
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
2/3 cup fresh mozzarella cheese pearls (about 4 ounces)
2 tablespoons minced fresh basil, optional

Steps:

  • In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil; stir in quinoa. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until liquid is absorbed, 10-12 minutes. Cool slightly., Mix pesto, onion, oil, vinegar and salt; stir in pepper, tomatoes, cheese and quinoa. Refrigerate, covered, to allow flavors to blend, 1-2 hours. If desired, stir in basil.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 183 calories, Fat 11g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 15mg cholesterol, Sodium 268mg sodium, Carbohydrate 14g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

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