Basil Pesto Sauce
Basil is an herb in the mint family. It’s a super herb as it has many benefits - and that’s why there are many healthy and important reasons to add basil - and hopefully grow your own basil herb in your garden. It’s easy! Check out Dr. Axe on line - he has excellent articles on all topics related to herbs and pretty much anything that has to do with natural health and healing! Here are some scientific studies that show the following benefits and why to add them to your cooking: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cancer-fighter, pain-reducer, fever-reducer, diabetes preventer, liver- protector, blood vessel-protector, anti-stress, immune booster… Need I say more… Believe me there is!
Most people associate pesto sauce with pine nuts. I leave them out because of allergies in our home. Please ask what’s in the pesto before you dig in. If there’s an allergy you need to know. That said, it’s not necessary to add pine nuts or any nuts (some use walnuts instead of pine nuts in their recipe). You’ll also save yourself money (they are expensive) and time (hard to find pine nuts). Also, nuts can go rancid - and when nuts are not fresh they can ruin a recipe. So, here we are, a pesto sauce that’s deliciously fresh, easy to make and wow your epicureans.
Basil Herb growing in my garden
1/2 cup olive oil
1 cup fresh basil leaves
3 tbsp vegan parmesan cheese
2 garlic cloves
Himalayan salt to taste
Black pepper freshly ground
1/2 lemon freshly squeezed
- using a mini food processor blend olive oil and basil leaves until smooth
- add parmesan cheese (I use a nutritional yeast vegan brand), garlic cloves, black pepper and blend
- squeeze lemon to the blender
- add salt to taste
- top on ready made pasta - this recipe will be enough for one box of pasta
Genia’s Spoon Me tips: Basil dressing can used beyond the pasta dish. It makes a great veggie and chip/cracker dip. You can mix some basil pesto with yogurt - gives the dish a great color and taste, makes a great homemade pizza topping (instead of tomato sauce), a spread on bread, salad dressing, top on veggie slices, and more…
Much love for basil and you,
Genia