Last week I was browsing at the grocery store when I noticed a big container of Spicy Wasabi Arugula on sale. Regularly $6, I snatched it up for just under $2 and didn’t look back. But Wasabi Arugula….what could I use this for? I recalled the spinach pesto I made for grilled cheeses not too long ago, and thought I could probably use this arugula and do a pesto with it…..pesto doesn’t always have to be made with basil, right? So I figure this pesto can be made with any type of arugula, or green leafy veggie. I also wanted to cut down on the oil a little bit, so I decided to add some lemon juice to help with the blending process. I might try kale pesto next….sounds good, right? Use this for a pasta, chicken, fish, veggies, roasted potatoes, or pizza….the options are endless! Put it on a grilled cheese like I did with my spinach pesto, drool!
- 2 cups of packed arugula leaves I used wasabi arugula!, stems removed
- 1/2 cup of shelled walnuts or almonds
- 1/2 cup fresh Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 5 garlic cloves or not, if you are using a food processor, peeled and chopped
- 2 TBS Lemon Juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
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Combine the arugula, salt, nuts, garlic into a food processor. Pulse mixture. Add parmesan cheese and pulse mixture.
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Continue to pulse while drizzling the olive oil into the processor. Add lemon juice last and pulse until combined.
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Remove the mixture from the processor and put it into a bowl. Use for whatever you want!
Sometimes it’s good to make extra pesto and save some for later use. I love putting a some into freezer trays, freezing, then popping out into a zip lock bag. Presto! Pesto whenever you need it!
creativitas says
Looks soo good!
arzea says
thanks! it is super yummy!
Tanyanka says
Great idea with the lemon juice, I totally have to try this next time! And Pesto is the best, it can be used in so many dishes!
arzea says
I know! It really cuts down on the calories with what you save on the extra oil! I loooove pesto!
De'nise says
Wow what a great idea. I’m definately going to use this one on my pasta with veggies dish.
Also thanks for the freezing tip (which I will also use). Great stuff. Love your blog! ;D
arzea says
Thanks!!
Susan and Wade says
Looks amazing! We have our Pesto cooking class tomorrow, so I’ll give them a “shout out” to your blog for this recipe and the ideas for using pesto. Thanks!! Hope your week is going well.
arzea says
Thank you!! It was really good! I love experimenting with different things for pesto. Things over here are really good, especially since I finally finished my massive hutch re-do…check out my latest post!!
Christa Mae says
This looks delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
arzea says
Your welcome! Thanks for stopping by!
Niecie says
I tried this pesto on a turkey & swiss grilled sandwich. It was d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s! Thanks for the recipe… also I used the spicy wasabi arugula & it gave it a really nice kick. 😉
arzea says
Glad you liked it!