Basil Garlic Pesto - Nut Free and Dairy Free

pine nuts

🥗Healthier: walnuts

💰Cheaper: sunflower seeds

Walnuts are more affordable and provide a similar texture.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast is dairy-free and lower in calories.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Canola oil is less expensive and has a neutral flavor.

Wrap garlic cloves in small pieces of foil and place them in the oven to roast.

Remove garlic from the oven after roasting.

Pick off basil leaves, discarding most of the stems, and place them in a blender.

Zest a lemon directly into the blender, avoiding the bitter white pith.

Cut the lemon in half and juice it over the zester to catch any seeds.

Remove the paper from the roasted garlic and squeeze the garlic paste into the blender.

Add 4 ounces of dry roasted sunflower seeds to the blender.

Season with a touch of black pepper and sea salt.

Add a little nutritional yeast to the blender.

Pour in olive oil while starting the blender to emulsify the mixture.

Blend until the desired pesto texture is achieved.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens