Tomato and walnut pesto recipe for a tasty twist

Ingredients for Tomato and walnut pesto

• 900 g cherry or small tomatoes, halved

• extra-virgin olive oil

• 2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped

• 45 g flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped

• zest and juice of 1/2 lemon

• 1 g red chilli flakes

• 60 g walnuts, toasted

• 60 g grated parmesan, plus more for serving

• 450 g pasta

• handful of basil leaves

• sea salt and black pepper

How to make Tomato and walnut pesto

1. Preheat the grill to high.

2. Place the tomatoes on a large baking tray and drizzle with olive oil. Season with a generous pinch of sea salt. Grill the tomatoes for 6–8 minutes, until they are blistered and have released some liquid.

3. In a blender or food processor, combine the garlic, parsley, lemon zest, and red chilli flakes, and blend to a fine paste. Add the walnuts and half of the grilled tomatoes, and with the motor running, pour in 80 ml of olive oil in a steady stream until well combined. Stir in the Parmesan and season with sea salt and a good twist of black pepper.

4. Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil and add the pasta, stirring well. Cook according to the packet instructions until al dente. Reserve 120 ml of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.

5. Place the drained pasta in a large bowl and add the pesto along with a splash or two of the reserved pasta cooking water. Gradually add more cooking liquid in small amounts until the sauce effortlessly coats the pasta. Scatter the remaining grilled tomatoes and the basil leaves on top.

6. To serve, top bowls of pasta with a generous amount of Parmesan, a squeeze of lemon juice, and a finishing drizzle of olive oil.

Disclaimer
While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.