Here’s a simple and delicious recipe for Pesto Sauce, which is rich, flavorful, and perfect for pasta, sandwiches, salads, or even as a dip.
Yield: About 1 Cup
Ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves (packed)
- 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted (or walnuts, cashews, or almonds for a cheaper alternative)
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 tbs nutritional yeast
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (to brighten the flavor)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1-2 tablespoons water (optional, for thinning if needed)
Instructions:
1. Toast the Nuts (Optional but Recommended):
- If you want to bring out more flavor in your pesto, you can lightly toast the pine nuts (or whatever nuts you’re using). Place them in a dry skillet over medium heat and toast for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and fragrant. Remove from heat and let them cool.
2. Blend the Ingredients:
- In a food processor or high-speed blender, add the basil leaves, toasted pine nuts, garlic, nutritional yeast, and lemon juice.
- Pulse several times until everything is coarsely chopped and mixed.
3. Add the Olive Oil:
- With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the pesto reaches your desired consistency. You can add more olive oil for a looser sauce or less for a thicker paste.
4. Season:
- Taste and season the pesto with salt and pepper. If it’s too thick, add a tablespoon of water at a time until you reach your preferred texture.
5. Serve:
- Use immediately by tossing with your favorite pasta, drizzling over roasted veggies, or spreading on sandwiches and wraps.
6. Store:
- Pesto can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. To prevent browning, you can drizzle a little extra olive oil on top before sealing the container. Pesto can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Tips:
- Nut Alternatives: You can swap the pine nuts for other nuts like cashews, walnuts, or almonds. Cashews create a creamy pesto, while walnuts give a more earthy flavor.
- Add-Ins: Feel free to mix in other fresh herbs like parsley, arugula, or spinach for a different flavor profile.
- Garlic: Adjust the garlic to your preference. You can add more or less depending on how garlicky you like your pesto.
- Vegan Parmesan: For an even cheesier flavor, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of vegan parmesan cheese or make your own by blending cashews, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and salt.
This Pesto Sauce is fresh, creamy, and versatile! It’s a perfect addition to a variety of dishes and can be customized to your taste. Enjoy!
