Barley 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 exciting than your average dip. Toasting the walnuts before blending is a small step that makes a big difference — it draws out a deep, nutty richness that plays beautifully against the brightness of fresh lemon juice and basil. A pinch of cumin and turmeric woven into the base gives the whole thing a warm, subtly complex backbone that keeps people coming back for another scoop. The texture lands somewhere between hummus and a rustic tapenade — smooth enough to spread easily but with just enough body to feel satisfying. For anyone navigating grain sensitivities, this is the kind of crowd-pleasing appetizer that requires zero compromise, since every ingredient here is naturally free of barley and related grains. Pile it onto sliced vegetables or gluten-free crackers, finish with a drizzle of good olive oil and a scatter of fresh parsley, and it looks genuinely impressive on a table without much effort at all.
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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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