Soy Free Walnut Pesto Lentil Spread
This earthy, herbaceous spread is the kind of thing you'll want to keep in the fridge at all times — ready to scoop onto crackers, pile onto a crudité platter, or eat straight from the bowl with a spoon. Simmered green or brown lentils form the hearty base, blended with a fragrant walnut pesto built from fresh basil, toasted walnuts, lemon juice, garlic, and a warm hint of cumin and turmeric. Toasting the walnuts before blending is a small step that makes a big difference, coaxing out a deeper, nuttier flavor that anchors the whole spread. The result is thick and creamy with just enough texture to feel satisfying — not stiff, not watery, exactly right. For anyone navigating soy-free eating, store-bought dips and spreads can be a minefield of hidden soy derivatives, so having a recipe built entirely from whole, recognizable ingredients is genuinely refreshing. A final drizzle of good olive oil and a scatter of fresh parsley make it look as impressive as it tastes. It's the kind of plant-based appetizer that disappears fast, no matter who's at the table.
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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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