Toasted Walnut Basil Pesto and {Blendtec Giveaway}

(this giveaway is now closed…thank you to all who entered)

I have been making pesto this past month like it’s nobody’s business. Every time I run out, I make more. I put it on everything…pizza, pasta, soup, bread and even use it as a dip for…pretzels.

I love me some pesto.

I normally make my pesto with pine nuts, but since I have a Costco sized bag of walnuts hanging in the pantry I have been using walnuts instead. And I like it. It gives the pesto and earthier flavor, and if you didn’t know, walnuts kick butt in the nutrition department. So it’s all good.

Now in addition to this pesto recipe, I have another favorite thing to share with you. My new Blendtec blender. Blendtec was nice enough to send me a blender to try out as well as one to give to one of my readers – that’s you.

How cool is that? You will love this blender people, it’s hard core. I have made 20 something smoothies in it already (there is a digital counter on the blender that counts your uses, my kids and I think that is the coolest thing). I’ve even started to make whole juices. I’ve made salsa … and this pesto. I’m having some fun with my new blender. And the winner will too.

Giveaway:

Blendtec Total FourSide Blender (value $484.95) plus an additional WildSide jar.

(Blender is factory reconditioned, as the one I received is)

Starts today, Tuesday August 9 and ends Friday, August 19 at 12 noon (EST) {edited to fix date to Aug 19, not Aug 20}

Sorry, giveaway open to US readers only. Winner will be chosen randomly using Pick Giveaway Winner plugin application {edited to write Pick Giveaway Winner plugin application instead of Random.org}

To enter into the giveaway:

Leave a comment on this post telling me what you use your blender for the most.

Additional Entries can be earned by:

(leave a separate comment after you complete each item, each comment will count as an entry)

1.  “Like”  Blendtec on Facebook.

2. “Like” Aggie’s Kitchen on Facebook. (if you already a fan, let me know, that counts as an entry!)

3. Follow @Blendtec on Twitter

3. Follow @AggiesKitchen on Twitter (if you already follow, let me know, that counts as an entry!)

4.  Share about giveaway on Twitter: “I want to win a Blendtec from @aggieskitchen and @Blendtec! http://bit.ly/nV2cZJ”

5. Share about giveaway on Facebook with link to this post.

6. Subscribe to Aggie’s Kitchen RSS feed.

Good Luck!!

Toasted Walnut Basil Pesto

Recipe from Aggie’s Kitchen

4 heaping cups of basil leaves
1/2 cup toasted walnuts
1/2 – 1/3 cup olive oil
2 garlic cloves
1/4 – 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 lemon (helps maintain fresh green color!)
big pinches kosher or sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

Add all ingredients to the pitcher of your blender (or food processor) and blend until smooth.

(Disclosure: This giveaway is being provided by Blendtec. All opinions here, as always, are my own.)

PS…apparently I’m in the giveaway mood. Head over to Family Kitchen to enter to win a new cookbook!

Tagged as: basil, dip, pesto, spread