Artificial Flavors Free Walnut Pesto Lentil Spread
This earthy, vibrant spread brings together tender cooked lentils and a fragrant walnut-basil pesto into something that feels far more special than the sum of its parts. Every ingredient here is whole and real — fresh basil, raw walnuts toasted until golden, bright lemon juice, and warm spices like cumin and turmeric that give the spread a subtle, complex depth. For anyone avoiding artificial flavors, that matters enormously, because store-bought dips and spreads are notorious for hiding synthetic flavor enhancers behind vague labeling. Here, you control every element from start to finish, and the result is a spread that tastes genuinely alive. The texture lands somewhere between hummus and a rustic tapenade — mostly smooth but with enough body to scoop cleanly onto a cracker or a crisp slice of cucumber. Toasting the walnuts before blending is a small step that pays off big, coaxing out a nutty richness that ties the whole bowl together. It's the kind of thing you'll find yourself making on repeat just to have in the fridge.
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Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
For the lentils
- ¾ cup green or brown lentils, rinsed
- 2 cups water
- ¼ tsp salt
For the pesto-walnut base
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
- ¾ cup raw walnuts
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 2 tbsp lemon juice (from about 1 lemon)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp salt, or to taste
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, roughly chopped (optional)
- sliced vegetables or gluten free crackers, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the rinsed lentils, water, and 1/4 tsp salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a steady simmer and cook uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until the lentils are completely tender and have absorbed most of the water.
- 2
Drain any remaining liquid through a fine-mesh strainer and spread the lentils on a plate or sheet pan. Let them cool for 10 minutes until no longer steaming.
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