I know what you're thinking...
...another pesto recipe in a world full of pesto recipes??...b-o-r-i-n-g...and to be honest, there's probably not much about this recipe to differentiate it from any number of others already in existence.
But!...I've been working on and testing this recipe for a few months now, and I love it. I can eat it with a spoon it's so good! It's also nut-free and basil-free, which may have you furrowing your brow, since that's what pesto dreams are made of, but let me explain.
The nuts are out because of Jade's allergies. Among other things, I like to have this recipe on hand as a quick lunch fix for my girls... a dollop of pesto mixed in with some warm brown rice pasta and chopped chicken is a fave with them (and a life-saver for me when Sammy is crying and needy)!
Regarding the basil, I love it, I really do! I will actually throw it in certain smoothies and use it in moderation in recipes.
For pesto, however, it can get a bit pricey.
A four-ounce package around these parts costs about three dollars, which becomes a bit silly when I can find a bigger bunch of spinach or kale or even chard on sale for half that price, and it makes just as good a pesto.
I make this on any given day, and it keeps for about a week.
In addition to the girls' noodles, I love spreading it on my Oil-Free Spelt Pizza Crust or atop my Lentil Flatbread or even mixing it in with some cooked quinoa and chopped cherry tomatoes.
(Red Lentil Flatbread shown above)
I also lowered the oil as much as I saw fit before the taste began to suffer.
I call this 'adaptable' because I've tried it with a few different dark greens, and they all work well! That way, we (or you) aren't limited to what may not be on sale at the grocery store (a legitimate concern here).
In addition, if you're not nut-free, you can substitute the hemp seeds with walnuts or whatever you like. I have it in mind to try pumpkin seeds, though I haven't yet.
However you use or make this, I am hopeful you'll enjoy it as much as we do!
Our Favorite Adaptable Pesto
Ingredients
- 2 garlic cloves
- 3 (packed!) c. dark leafy greens, such as kale or spinach (choose something you like the taste of!)
- ¼ c . hemp seeds
- 2 T . lemon juice
- ½ t . sea salt
- 1/4-1/2 t . black pepper
- ¼ c . good olive oil
- ¼ c . grated parmesan
Instructions
- Pulse the garlic in a food processor until minced.
- Add in the kale, hemp seeds, lemon juice, salt, and pepper and process until everything is broken down.
- With the processor still running, slowly add in the oil.
- Once everything is well combined, pulse in the parmesan.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
What's your favorite recipe to use pesto in?
Shared with: Hearth and Soul, Sunday Fitness and Food
clzsembe
I love this! Pesto ingredients in general are pricey. This is stuff I have at home. Any idea how well it freezes? I know basil freezes beautifully, so it seems like this might too...
Lauren
I think it would freeze fine, but I haven't tried myself. 🙂
Lori
Love Hemp seeds! Going to make this today. Can you grow basil where you live? It grows forver and is very hearty!
Lauren
Hah, we can, but I literally have a black thumb. 🙁 I should try again though! I hope you enjoy the pesto if you make it!
Angela
This sounds Wonderful! I am so glad that I discovered your blog today, I Love all of your healthy recipes. I am looking forward to trying this, Pinned 🙂 Thank you for joining the Sunday Fitness & Food Link-Up, hope to "see you" next week!!
Lauren
Thank you Angela, I'm looking forward to perusing your blog a bit more as well! My hubby is a fireman and my sister-in-law is an RN, so we are traveling in similar circles there. 🙂 Have a great night!
April J Harris (@apriljharris)
What a lovely colour your pesto is, Lauren and it sounds so delicious too. It's fantastic how adaptable the recipe is and how wonderful to be able to switch up the flavours as you have. Sharing! Thank you for bringing this recipe to the Hearth and Soul Hop.
swathi
Very delicious and colorful pesto, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop, pinning and tweeting
rockmyvegansocks
Hemp seeds! How unique! I love it =) I'm not a huge pesto lover, but this sounds really good. Different than what I've tried before. I managed to snag a big, beautiful bunch of basil from the market for a reasonable price this week, so I may just try this with basil after all.
Tammy
This really does taste like pesto! Great job!