| Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 10 mins – 12 mins | Difficulty: Easy | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 486 | 31g | 8g | 40g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 3g | 4g | 14g | 0.4g |
Feast your eyes on the beautiful colors of our Chicory and Walnut Pesto Pasta! This recipe brings a unique blend of flavors that doesn’t just tantalize your taste buds, but takes you on a gourmet journey right onto your dinner plate. Tasting just as delightful as it looks, and inspired by my West Coast/Gujarati roots, it brings together fresh, aromatic chicory leaves, and the delightful crunch of walnuts with the comfort of classic pasta. 
A Taste of Two Worlds
The magic to this Chicory and Walnut Pesto Pasta lies in the play of ingredients – fresh chicory and basil leaves that bring out the West Coast brightness, combined with the nutty flavor of walnuts that roots the dish in my Gujarati heritage. It’s a subtle blend of cultures, a celebration of the coexistence of my Indian-American identity on a plate, and I hope it brings as much joy to your table as it does to mine!
A Nutritional Powerhouse
But it’s not just the flavor profile that thrills me. This pasta packs a potent health kick too. Chicory, one of the star ingredients, is rich in vitamins and minerals, and adds a good dose of fiber to your meal. The walnuts not only give an interesting sensory contrast with their crunch but also bring Omega-3 fatty acids, beneficial for heart health. Pair that with the antioxidant richness of basil, and the quality proteins from Parmesan cheese, and you’ve got a dish that’s as good for your body as it is for your soul!
If you are a lover of Italian recipes, this delightful dish may remind you of the classic Basil Pesto Pasta. However, the subtle bitter-sweet chicory and walnut combination gives our version an edge. I highly suggest pairing this pasta with a light, citrusy salad and perhaps a glass of robust red wine for a full-bodied dinner experience. Here’s an easy Citrusy Salad recipe that would work wonders with our pasta.
I hope you enjoy our Chicory and Walnut Pesto Pasta as much as we do. With its fusion of flavors, and its nourishing ingredients, it offers you more than just a meal – it’s a bridge between cultures, a statement of healthy living, and above all, a delicious culinary adventure. So put on your chef’s hat and make magic in your kitchen tonight!
What You’ll Need
- 2 cups of fresh chicory leaves
- 1 cup of fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup of walnuts
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 3/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup of extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pound of pasta of your choice
Method
Step One
Begin by gathering all your ingredients. This will make the cooking process faster and more efficient.
Step Two
Pick over the chicory and basil leaves to make sure there are no damaged or wilted pieces. Rinse both types of leaves thoroughly under cool running water and pat them dry using a clean tea towel or paper towel.
Step Three
Place cleaned chicory leaves, basil leaves, garlic cloves, walnuts, Parmesan cheese, sea salt, black pepper, and lemon juice in a food processor. Process until the ingredients are finely chopped.
Step Four
While the food processor is running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. If the pesto is too thick, you can loosen it by adding a little more olive oil.
Step Five
Now it’s time to cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a generous amount of salt to the boiling water before adding the pasta. Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package until it is al dente.
Step Six
Drain the pasta, reserving some of the pasta water. Return the pasta to the pot and add the pesto. Toss well, adding some of the reserved pasta water if necessary to loosen the sauce. Continue to toss until the pasta is well coated with the pesto.
Step Seven
Serve the pesto pasta hot, with a sprinkle of extra grated Parmesan cheese on top if desired. Enjoy this delicious Chicory and Walnut Pesto Pasta with a fresh salad or warm bread!
