May 13, 2012

Spinach-Herb Pesto

This is the time of the year that there never seems to be enough time. Between end of the year school madness, t-ball, birthdays, holidays etc. I always seem to be behind. I would love to say that I have hours everyday to prepare complex great tasting meals, but the reality is that I don't. There are nights that I can spare a couple of hours to prepare dinner, those are the nights that my three-year-old actually decides to take his afternoon nap. I love those naps when they happen, I am able to get so many things done! However, the majority of the time my youngest refuses to nap and my days are hectic at best. So to the rescue comes my trusted menu plan. Each week I have at least two very easy recipes that takes less than a half an hour to make start to finish. One such recipe from the March issue of Southern Living magazine is for Spinach-Herb Pesto and takes a total of 15 minutes and is full of fresh vegetables.
This recipe 10 ingredients. It takes 15 minutes, all of which is active and makes 3/4 of a cup of pesto. I had no problems finding any of the ingredients at my local grocery store and made no ingredient modifications. There is no need to overly chop the herbs and veggies before placing them in the food processor, the machine does a great job on its own. I would recommend using a food scale and measuring 2 ounces for the cheese, 2 ounces was a lot more than a 1/2 cup according to my measuring cups. I followed the remainder of the recipe as written.

Pesto is one of my favorite dishes and this recipe turned out very well. The lemon flavor compliments the herbs and spinach nicely and the overall taste was delicious Both of my children ate their servings happily and had no idea that they were eating spinach instead of regular pasta. An easy way to add more spinach and herbs to your dinner table.

For the recipe go to Spinach-Herb Pesto.

42 comments:

  1. Oooh, I LOVE pasta, especially anything with pesto! I'm saving this recipe to make for one of "dinner nights" my roommates and I will be having when we move into our new apartment. It looks great!

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    1. I love pasta also, we eat it pretty frequently :) Good luck with your new apartment, I always loved moving into new places!

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  2. I had so much spinach and basil in the garden last yr I made a varation of this recipe....yum yum! it is really delicious...I have never used mint...thanks for the interesting twist!
    happy Mothers Day!

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    1. I wish that I could actually have a garden, I'm jealous :) Between our dogs and the neighborhood kids a garden isn't an option. I have thought about trying hanging baskets, which I might try this year. Happy belated Mothers Day back :)

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  3. This looks so delicious!!! I am trying this recipe out tonight!!

    I featured this post in my Monday Bytes because I really enjoyed it. If you have time check it out here!!
    http://www.whatjeanlikes.com/2012/05/monday-bytes-2.html

    xoxo,

    Jean

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    1. I hope you like the recipe! Thanks for the mention, your so sweet :)

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  4. This looks yummy! We love pasta in our house so I'll definitely be giving this recipe a whirl soon :)

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    1. Thanks :) We eat a lot of pasta in our house also! Tell me if you like the recipe!

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  5. I'm into anything that gets more veggies into my kids bellies without their knowledge!! Going to make this...loveeeee me some pesto!

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    1. I love pesto too, its yummy! Tell me how you like the recipe when you try it!

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  6. Pesto is one of my favorites!! Happy SITS day!

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    1. Pesto is one of my favorite too! I like this recipe since it's different than a lot of other pesto recipes!

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  7. Yum. Looks easy and not so expensive. Some pesto recipes are pricey. Pinned it.

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    1. It really is easy and not expensive. I agree that a lot of basil based pesto recipes can be very pricey!!

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  8. I love spinach and will try this! Visiting from you via SITS.

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    1. I love spinach also and it is great for you!

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  9. Oooohhh ... I love pesto. We made some with spinach from our garden last year ... delish! :)

    Enjoy your SITS day! :)

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    1. I'm jealous that you grew spinach in your garden! We don't have the room for anything other than flower pots. I bet your pesto was delicious!

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  10. This looks great!!!! Happy SITS Day - always great to find a fellow foodie :)

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    1. Thanks :) It tasted great and was very easy! Going over to check out your food blog!

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  11. This looks sooooo amazing! I love spinach and pasta, so this sounds perfect for me. Happy SITS day!

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    1. Thanks, I'm a big fan of spinach and pasta also, they are both delicious!

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  12. This sounds delish! And easy. I love how you tie in a bit of personal information with the recipe. It's like I am sitting in your kitchen chatting with you while you cook. Happy SITS day!

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    1. It really is very simple to make. I try to put some personal info so it doesn't feel like I'm just giving a recipe and nothing else, I hope that it makes my readers feel more at home :)

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  13. Yummy!

    Warmest regards,
    Joy
    http://www.PardonMyPoppet.com

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    1. Thanks, it was delicious and very healthy! I love using spinach!

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  14. Love anything pesto (and fast!) Sounds yummy! Enjoy your SITS day!

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  15. I have never made spinach pesto! Looks great! Happy SITS day.

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    1. Spinach pesto is great and much cheaper than pesto made with basil.

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  16. Coming from SITS. Looks tasty!

    Lindsey @ GrowingKidsMinistry.com

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    1. Thanks, it was and very versatile, it's great on pasta, but would also work as a topping for chicken, fish or pork!

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  17. I've never tried making pesto - I'll have to try! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. It really is easy and so much better tasting than store bought!

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  18. Pesto is one of our favorites! Haven't tried it with spinach, but sounds like a great combo! Thanks for the idea!

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    1. Making pesto with spinach really does taste great and is really healthy and high in iron!

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  19. LOVE pesto! Can't wait to try this recipe. And I'm a new follower :)

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    1. I love pesto also :) Tell me how the recipe turns out if you try it!

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  20. Your pictures look so good! I have been trying to eat better and I have been wanting to try spinach pesto...I don't know why I am scared!

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  21. Don't be scared, pesto is very easy to make and is a great way to get more vegetables in your diet :)

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  22. I'd love to give it a whirl. It sounds good. I can hear my son already saying something about the color. He is so into the look of food. Sigh.

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    1. My oldest went through that stage too, luckily it didn't last long :) Now he loves pesto!

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