Pescatarian Pesto-Walnut Watercress and Cucumber Salad
Fresh, peppery watercress and cool cucumber slices make a stunning base, and the homemade pesto vinaigrette ties everything together with bright lemon, fragrant basil, and a gentle kick of garlic. The dressing comes together in a blender in under a minute, so this is genuinely weeknight-friendly despite feeling like something you'd order at a nice restaurant. Toasting the walnuts in a dry skillet before scattering them over the top is a small step that pays off big ā it deepens their flavor and adds a satisfying crunch against the tender greens. Shaved Parmesan finishes the whole thing with a salty, nutty richness that makes every bite feel complete. Since the entire dish is built from produce, nuts, olive oil, and cheese, it fits naturally into a pescatarian lifestyle without any substitutions or workarounds required. Serve it immediately after tossing so the watercress stays crisp and the vinaigrette stays vibrant.
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Learn more āIngredients
4 servings
For the salad
- Ā½ cup raw walnut halves
- 5 oz watercress, thick stems trimmed
- 1 english cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 oz parmesan, shaved
Chef's tipChoose a vegan parmesan in the form the recipe uses - grated for sprinkling and sauces, a firm wedge for shaving or melting.
For the pesto vinaigrette
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
- Ā¼ cup raw walnut halves
- 1 small garlic clove
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- Ā¼ tsp salt, plus more to taste
- Ā¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add the Ā½ cup raw walnut halves (for the salad) and toast, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly golden, about 2ā3 minutes. Watch closely, as they can brown quickly. Transfer to a plate and let cool.
- 2
In a small food processor or blender, combine the basil, Ā¼ cup raw walnuts (for the vinaigrette), garlic clove, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes, if using. Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped and uniform.
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