November 12, 2009

Spinach Basil Pesto, anyone?

by Anne Mauney, MPH, RD

Vegetarian
13 comments

Hey friends!

So last night I decided it was time for a show down with my basil plant.

009

It was just begging to be eaten. Not in the “a leaf here, a leaf there” sort of way I’d been eating it, though.

007

No, it told me it was ready to be plucked clean. So that’s what I did. Enter your basic pesto… with a twist!

Spinach Basil Pesto

035

Ingredients:

  • 1 C fresh basil leaves (packed)
  • 1/4 C grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/3 C olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp pine nuts
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • juice 1/2 lemon
  • 1/2 C spinach

The spinach was a last minute addition. I was feeling creative 🙂

Instructions:

Toss it all into a food processor and give it a whirl!

027 028 030

————————————————->

034

Ahhhh, I love food processors. 🙂

Enjoy! I sauteed some veggies in it…

039

..and had them with cannellini beans over spaghetti squash, which I cooked in the microwave.

I just cut it in half, scooped out the seeds, placed half of it inside facing down on the plate, and microwaved on high for 8 minutes. Done and done!

021

024 026

Voila!

041

The pesto was really yummy. However, I decided spaghetti squash is just not my favorite, at least when it’s substituted for pasta.

I just like pasta better! I think I’d like spaghetti squash much better as a side dish as opposed to the main course 🙂 I’ll do some experimenting with the leftovers!

What do you think of spaghetti squash? If you like it, what’s your favorite way to eat it?

Stay tuned… I made something else very creative in the kitchen last night that I think ya’ll will LOVE!

- anne

join the list

Sign up for my e-newsletter and I'll send you a meal plan packed with a week's worth of healthy meals, snacks and a shopping list. Happy eating!

you might also like:

leave a comment

13 comments
  • Here's an interesting question, why do I not own a food processor. Yeah I don't know either. I like spaghetti squash, although I haven't had it in years.
    Reply
  • I've never tried spaghetti squash but all this food looks awesome!
    Reply
  • Spaghetti squash only looks like spaghetti. I find that in order to make it tasty, I have to add a ton of spices (read: GARLIC). I also like to use it in place of cellophane noodles in Thai recipes. I add sweet-flavored veggies, scrambled eggs, and TONS of spices along with Thai peanut sauce and soy sauce.
    Reply
  • Not a spaghetti squash fan, but that pesto looks out of this world!
    Reply
  • I've still never had spaghetti squash. I'll be buying one this week to try! That pesto looks great!
    Reply
  • spaghetti squash is one of my favorite foods! Its sssoo tasty! I love it instead of pasta. I actually make it in pancakes and I love it that way. Pan sauteed and topped off with some beans and a good salsa. Yum! The pesto idea is fantastic. Will have to try that one this week. I have two lovely squashes sitting at home now. So would be a perfect way to use them up! I saw on another blog too someone had used it as a pizza topper which sounds incredible as well!
    Reply
  • I love spaghetti squash, but don't make it very often. I love pesto more! That looks delish!
    Reply
  • I love spaghetti squash! especially as a spaghetti alternative (which is an easy answer). Your pesto looks fantastic.
    Reply
  • I love spaghetti squash with some chunky sauce on top!!!! So yummy!
    Reply
  • I heart pesto- but I find that homemade pesto is pricey because of the pine nuts! In college my roommate and I woudl microwave spaghetti squash, dump butter and salt on it and eat it just like that. DELICIOUS!!
    Reply