Lively Watercress Pesto: No Nuts, No Cheese Delight

Watercress No Nut or Cheese Pesto

Description: This vibrant pesto is an exquisite option for enhancing your culinary creations, serving beautifully as a coating for filet mignon or elevating a hamburger to gourmet status. It also pairs wonderfully with pasta for a fresh and flavorful dish. Adapted from the “Meat Lovers Cookbook” by Sarlin & Porter, this recipe offers a delightful twist by cutting the oil in half while still maintaining a silky consistency.

Ingredients

Ingredient	Quantity
Watercress leaves	2 cups
Fresh basil leaves	¾ cup
Fresh parsley	1 cup
Olive oil	1 cup (or reduce to ½ cup for a lighter version)
Fresh coarse ground black pepper	¼ tsp
Garlic cloves	7 cloves

Nutritional Information (per serving)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	989.2
Total Fat	108.4 g
Saturated Fat	15 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Sodium	35.3 mg
Total Carbohydrates	6.5 g
Dietary Fiber	2 g
Sugars	0.5 g
Protein	2.7 g

Instructions

Process the Greens: In a food processor, combine the watercress, basil, parsley, and garlic. Pulse until finely chopped, creating a fragrant herb mixture.
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Incorporate the Olive Oil: With the processor running, gradually drizzle in the olive oil to form a smooth paste, adjusting the amount of oil according to your desired consistency.
Season to Taste: Add the freshly ground black pepper, blending once more to ensure the flavor is evenly distributed.
Store for Freshness: Transfer the pesto to a sealed container, topping it with a thin layer (¼ inch) of olive oil to prevent oxidation. This will keep your pesto fresh for up to two weeks in the refrigerator.
Freezing Option: For longer storage, spoon the pesto into ice cube trays and freeze. This method allows you to enjoy your pesto for up to six months, making it easy to add a burst of flavor to future dishes.