Basil non-pesto

When I first made Basil and Walnut Green Beans Andrew and I couldn’t quite place the familiar taste. Then we realized the dish was very similar to pesto, only without the assault of garlic. While I love pesto, I often avoid it in restaurants since I never know how socially acceptable I’ll be after I lick my plate clean. So, since Lisa’s avoiding dairy, you want quick and simple, and I have a bumper crop of basil, here is my non-recipe for non-pesto. It’s fast and very flexible. As long as you have basil and walnuts, you can tweak it to your individual palate.

Garlic-Free Pesto
Printable recipe

Makes as much as you want

Ingredients

• angel hair pasta
• butter or olive oil
• garlic, smashed with skin discarded (optional), no more than 2 large cloves for 4 servings
• walnuts, chopped, 1 small handful per serving
• walnut oil (optional)
• fresh basil, minced, 1 generous handful per serving
• salt and pepper to taste
• Parmesan (optional)

Instruction

1. Bring a pot of lightly salted water to the boil.
2. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the sauce. Remember, angel hair pasta is ready in less than 4 minutes, so don’t let it overcook.
3. Heat a saucepan over medium-high heat. Melt the butter or add olive oil. You want to use a generous amount since it forms the basis of the sauce.
4. If using garlic, smash the clove and gently saute in the hot fat for 2 minutes. Discard the garlic. (Note: To smash a clove, simply place the blade of a large knife flat on the clove and hit the blade with your fist. You want to break the clove to release a bit of the oils, not pulverize it.)
5. Add the walnuts, stirring until you begin to smell them toasting.
6. If using walnut oil, add a glug to boost the flavour.
7. Add the basil. Toss quickly until the leaves turn bright green and are just beginning to wilt.
8. Remove from heat.
9. Season with salt and pepper.
10. Toss in grated Parmesan, if using.
11. Add a generous amount of sauce to a moderate portion of pasta.
12. Be sure to check your teeth for bits of basil before going out in public.