Crispy bread & courgette salad with walnut and basil pesto
Prep
15 mins
Cook
25 mins
Servings
2
Difficulty
Medium
This is one of my favorite quick weeknight dinners because it comes together in under 40 minutes and feels fancy without any fuss. Crispy bread and tender courgettes form the perfect base for a vibrant walnut and basil pesto that's bursting with flavor. I love that walnuts are packed with omega 3 fatty acids, making this salad as nourishing as it is delicious. The best part? Most of these ingredients are pantry staples, so you can throw it together whenever the mood strikes without a special trip to the shops.
Ella x
Ingredients
- 25 gramsbasil(basil from a large pot Cook’s Ingredients Basil, stalks and leaves (most of the plant, with enough left to regrow) )
- 25 gramswild rocket
- 50 gramspecorino(grated)
- 1garlic(crushed)
- 50 gramswalnuts(toasted and roughly chopped (see tip))
- 4 tbspolive oil
- ½lemon(juice)
- 4 tbspolive oil(for frying)
- 125 gramsstone-baked grand rustique bread(bread from a stonebaked grand rustique, cut into 2cm cubes )
- 500 gramscourgettes(ends trimmed, each sliced lengthways into 4)
- 1wild rocket(Large handful wild rocket )
Detail level
Instructions
- 1
Start by making the pesto. Put the basil, rocket, pecorino, garlic and walnuts into a small food processor and blitz until finely chopped. Blitz in half the oil, then stir in the remainder. Reserve half the pesto for another day and mix the rest with the lemon juice. Season to taste, then set aside.
- 2
For the salad, heat 2 tbsp oil in a large frying pan over a high heat, and when shimmering, fry the croutons for 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and toasted all over. Transfer to a plate lined with kitchen paper, then wipe the pan out, add 1 tbsp oil and return to the heat.
- 3
Fry the courgettes in 3 batches for 3-4 minutes each side, until dark golden and cooked through. Drain on a plate lined with kitchen paper and repeat until all the courgettes are cooked, adding extra oil as needed.
- 4
Arrange the courgettes and croutons with the large handful of rocket on a platter. Drizzle the pesto dressing over the top. Season, then serve immediately, scattered with some chilli flakes or black pepper, if liked.
Recipe Variations
Get AI-powered ingredient substitution suggestions.
You Might Also Like
Dark chocolate, chilli & salted pretzel slice
This is one of my favourite ways to use up a jar of chocolate sauce and create something that tastes far more impressive than it actually is. The magic happens when dark chocolate meets a hint of smoky chilli and the irresistible crunch of salted pretzels, all wrapped up in a simple sponge. Dark chocolate is packed with antioxidants, so you can feel a little virtuous with each bite. What I love most is that this comes together in just 15 minutes of prep and 40 minutes in the oven, making it perfect for when friends drop by unexpectedly. It's basically a one bowl wonder that never fails to impress.
Coconut & raspberry crush
Have you tried making a drink that's both refreshing and genuinely good for you? This coconut and raspberry crush is my go to when I want something special without the fuss. The best part is how quick it comes together in just ten minutes of prep. Coconut water is absolutely fantastic for hydration, packed with natural electrolytes that your body actually needs. I love combining it with tart raspberries and a hint of mint for that perfect balance of sweet and zingy. It's simple, it's delicious, and honestly, it feels like you're treating yourself to something fancy.
Crispy seabass with preserved lemon yogurt
This is one of my favorite quick weeknight dinners because it comes together in just ten minutes flat. Crispy seabass with preserved lemon yogurt is that perfect balance of impressive and effortless, with tangy Greek yogurt and zingy preserved lemon creating a sauce that feels restaurant quality but tastes like home. The seabass gets beautifully golden and flaky while the freekeh provides substantial whole grains packed with fiber and protein. It's the kind of meal that makes you feel like you're treating yourself without any fuss.
Reviews
Sign in to write a review.