Pesto Shrimp Sliders

Tell me, do you love pesto as much as I do? It’s such a simple and vibrant spread!

This awesome appetizer checks all my boxes: it’s easy to make, takes just a few ingredients, is full of flavor, and bursts with nutrient-dense whole foods from start to finish.

Here are some of the reasons I get excited to make this:

Walnuts

• I don’t eat dairy very often, so I like to add walnuts into my pesto rather than the traditional cheese.
• Walnuts make a really great addition, giving the pesto a creamy and nutty base. Walnuts also provide the Omega-3 healthy fats we need, as well as essential minerals like copper and manganese.

Shrimp

• While I happen to think pesto goes well with ALL THE THINGS, one of my favorite pairings is with shrimp.
• When responsibly sourced, shrimp is a great source of lean protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Spinach

• The spinach I add to the pesto brings a healthy dose of protein, fiber, vitamins A, C, E, K, and B6, as well as minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium, to name just a few. #totalpowerhouse

Cucumbers

• Made up of 95% water, cucumbers are super hydrating. They’re also high in both soluble and insoluble fiber (remember, your body needs both kinds to stay healthy and functional) and antioxidants like Vitamin C and beta-carotene.

Pesto Shrimp Sliders

KEY: T=Tablespoon; tsp=teaspoon

Ingredients:

• 1 large cucumber
• 2 dozen shrimp, cooked and peeled
• 1 cup basil
• 1/2 cup spinach
• 2-3 tbsp walnuts
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 lemon
• 2 tbsp parsley
• salt to taste

Directions:

1. Add the basil and spinach to the food processor or blender; pulse
2. Once the basil/spinach mix is chopped, add walnuts and garlic; pulse
3. Add olive oil, salt, and fresh lemon to taste; mix (you’ll likely need to scrape the pesto off of the sides of the processor!)
4. Chop the cucumber into 1/4 inch rounds
5. Mix the shrimp in with the pesto
6. Top the cucumbers with the shrimp mixture and a sprig of parsley

Enjoy right away or refrigerate for later!

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