Arugula Pesto Recipe

Arugula Pesto Recipe
with a Gourmet Surprise!

This Arugula pesto recipe has a gourmet surprise. A touch golden raisins to create a sweet off set to the rich full flavor of the gorgonzola cheese. A Foodie Delight!

If you've spent anytime on this site you'll know how much of a nut I am about pesto recipes. (No pun intended). This one reminds me of one of my favorites.

A Southern Italian Pesto with golden sweet raisins and capers. I just love the contraction in flavors. Sweet and salty or spicy.

This is a walnut pesto with a gourmet twist and a unique vegetarian pasta sauce if veggies are your thing.

Arugula Pesto Recipe Ingredients:

1 lb of Farfalle or bowtie pasta shape
2 cups arugula
1 tbsp lemen zest
2 cloves garlic
cup of toasted walnuts pieces
cup toasted walnuts set aside
cups of crumbled gorgonzola
cup golden raisins
3-5 tbsp Olive Oil for Pesto (You be the judge)
Salt & Pepper

Arugula Pesto Preparation:

Bring a pot of boiling water to a boil and begin cooking the farfalle pasta al dente.

Place the arugula into a food processor along with the garlic, lemon zest, salt and pepper. Use the technique of scrapping the sides of the processor periodically as you blend the ingredients as shown here in the homemade pesto recipe page.

Then add the walnuts and blend again until smooth.

Scrap out the blended ingredients into a bowl and slowly drizzle in the amount of Olive Oil to give it the consistency you like. I use about 3-5 table spoons.

Drain the Farfalle pasta when it's al dente but reserve a cup of the pasta water for the saute pan. Toss the pasta into the saute pan with the water, the raisins and remaining walnuts and heat on medium low for a couple of minutes or until the raisins become plump and tender.

Remove from the heat and add the arugula pesto into the pan and toss again.

When you're ready to serve, place the pasta in a bowl and add the crumbled gorgonzola and toss lightly one more time.

This Arugula pesto recipe is one of many on this site. I hope this gourmet delight will inspire you to try more! Or perhaps try your hand at an original Alfredo pasta recipe?