Lemon Pesto Orzo

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup walnuts 
• Zest and juice of one lemon 
• 1/2 cup parm chunks, plus more to finish 
• 2 cloves garlic 
• 1 tsp kosher salt 
• 1/2 cup evoo 
• 450 grams of orzo 
• 2 cups pasta water (seasoned generously with salt) 

Directions

1. Place a large pot of water on the stove and season generously with kosher salt. Bring to a boil. While it is heating up, place the walnuts, lemon zest, chunks of parm, garlic, and kosher salt in a food processor and give a good buzz. Add in the olive oil in a stream. Once it is all combined, turn off the machine and keep to the side. 
2. Once the water is boiling, add the orzo into the pot and boil until al dente. Remove 2 cups of pasta water when it’s done and then strain. Place back into the pot and add in the walnut lemon mixture, stir together and add in 1 cup of pasta water, mixing vigorously until the sauce starts to thicken. Keep adding a little water at a time if it gets too thick. Finish with fresh lemon juice and mix. 
3. Portion out the pasta and finish with grated parm, cracked black pepper and more evoo.