Συστατικά για δύο

a bunch of basil, about 50g (ένα και 3/4 ουγκιά), include the stalks in the pesto

90g (3 ουγκιά) of walnuts

2 σκελίδες σκόρδο, κιμάς

the juice of half a large lemon

150ml (5 και ένα 1/4 ουγγιές) of olive oil, and a drizzle more to serve

a teaspoon of coarse salt

a teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper

200g (7 ουγκιά) of fine green beans (French beans) trimmed

300g (10 και 1/2 ουγκιά) πατάτες, scrubbed and cubed into 1 inch (2 και ένα 1/2cm) pieces

200g (7 ουγκιά) of wholewheat spaghetti

salad leaves to serve

Μέθοδος

Soak the walnuts in just enough boiling water to cover them (about 150ml). This makes them easier to blend and means adding less oil later.

Allow the mixture to cool

Put on a large pan of salted water to boil (or use the kettle)

Add the potatoes to the boiling water, boil for about 5 minutes before adding the spaghetti, cook the spaghetti for 9 minutes adding the green beans for the last four (So the total cooking time is 14 minutes for the potatoes, 9 minutes for the spaghetti and 4 minutes for the green beans)

Προσθέστε το σκόρδο, the basil, the olive oil and some salt and pepper to the walnuts and their soaking liquid, blend or grind in a pestle and mortar

Σουρώστε τα ζυμαρικά, potatoes and beans reserving some of the cooking liquid, add the pesto and some of the liquid and use tongs to ensure its thoroughly coated

Serve with the salad leaves, a squeeze of lemon, a drizzle of olive oil and more pepper. Buon appetito!