Plant-Based Vegan Pesto Sauce
No Store Bought Pesto? No Problem
So one night, I'm trying to decide what's for dinner. Looking in my pantry attempting to put together a good healthy meal for my family. I'm sure you have been in my same shoes at one time or another.
So I have pasta but I didn't want the usual spaghetti sauce and I'm trying to do better with making my own sauces. You know, less additives and preservatives when it's homemade with fresh ingredients.
I decide on a Pesto sauce which I google and came up with many different variations. So I made my variation and I was pleasantly surprised.
I did have all types of dried Italian herbs and olive oil but I didn't have "fresh basil". I thought, what can I use in my kitchen that's similar to Pine Nuts and Basil? Got it! I had Spinach and sliced Almonds!
Voila!! I put it together and it was amazing! I was really proud of myself and even the kids loved it! (and they're hard to please as you well know!)
Below is my recipe for it, let me know how it turns out for you and any comments and suggestions are much appreciated!
I love to add spinach to most of my recipes. Adding spinach is a very easy way to bulk up your pesto and many other dishes as well.
Vegan Plant-Based Pesto Sauce Recipe
- 1 large ripe avocado, peeled, pitted and diced
- 1 1/2 cup Spinach, chopped
- 1/3 cup Sliced Almonds ( or pine nuts or cashews)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of one lemon
- 2 TBS extra virgin olive oil
- Salt to taste (I like a Sea Salt)
- Pepper to taste ( I like a cracked Pepper)
- 1 TBS McCormick's Sweet Basil and Oregano Bruschetta Seasoning Mix
- 1/8 Tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 Tsp Rosemary
- 1/2 Tsp Thyme
- 1/2 Tsp Oregano
- 1/8 Tsp Onion Powder
Of course to this recipe, you can use fresh basil if you have it. (about 1/2 cup chopped or more to taste) but if you don't have it, just use your dried basil.
Yields: 4 servings
Add all items above in a food processor, blend until smooth. Open the processor to check the consistency and scrape down the sides of the bowl. If you would like the consistency smoother, turn the food processor back on and add additional Olive Oil and Water very slowly, (not too much as you don't want it watery) until the desired consistency is obtained. Don't forget to taste it. If you want more seasoning then add it. Make it your own!
Of course, if you don't have something on my recipe by all means substitute something you do have. My neighbor hooked me up with McCormick's Sweet Basil and Oregano Bruschetta Seasoning Mix and I feel in love it! I add it to every Italian meal I cook!
Happy Cooking and Live Your Best Life!