Spicy Broccoli Pesto (NO Nuts or Seeds) – This healthy pesto is made with a helping of broccoli and a good dose of red pepper flakes. It is delicious atop pizza and other breads or stirred into rice or pasta.
My body is really rejecting nuts and seeds right now.
While we’ve never been the best of friends, a couple of years ago I tolerated various nut and seed butters in small amounts, which is all I really need!
Now, however, my inflammation goes through the roof when I consume more than a tablespoon a week of any nut or seed. Even my beloved pumpkin seeds, though tolerated better than any other, have begun to torment me.
Why, oh why?!
Even as I write this post, I hope to look back next year and think to myself, ‘man, I’m glad I don’t feel like that anymore!’.
Nut and Seed-Free Pesto
While the typical pesto recipes have either nuts or seeds…and no broccoli…and tons of oil…this ‘pesto’, if I can still call it that, breaks the rules!
I feel I am getting all of the broccoli benefits here, as it is just lightly steamed and blended. Cruciferous veggies are important, healthy body or not. They kick out those bad estrogens that can be accumulated from plastics or pretty much just breathing.
I kept the oil to a minimum, though I didn’t intentionally skimp.
Some pesto recipes, I feel, really overdo the oil, and that can be all I taste. This recipe lets the broccoli and the basil shine and is a bit heartier.
You could actually almost ‘dollop’ this, though it does spread.
I like to top Monday’s Coconut Flour Flatbreads with this and a couple of chopped tomatoes.
Add an egg on top or even some shredded chicken, and I’ve got myself a decent little lunch!
If you’re looking for more delicious ways to eat broccoli, take a peek at these recipes:
The Best 10-Minute Broccoli
Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice Casserole
Creamy Lemon Broccoli Soup
Spicy Broccoli Pesto (NO Nuts or Seeds)
Ingredients
- 6 ounces broccoli florets
- 1 large garlic clove
- 5 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Tbsp water
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp grated parmesan
Instructions
- Steam the broccoli for about eight minutes, until bright green and fork tender.
- Process or blend the broccoli with the remaining ingredients, except for the parmesan.
- Stir in the parmesan at the end, adding extra salt, if desired.
- Use as desired!
Notes
Nutrition
Some of the items I use to make this recipe include:
June says
Easy and nutritious…great idea, Lauren!
Hope you feel better soon.
June
Lauren says
Thank you, June!
Alice. says
This is such a great idea! And no nuts or seeds – I love it! Thank you for sharing, Lauren! And I really wish you, and pray, that next year (or maybe by the end of this year) you feel much much better 🙏🌹
Lauren says
Thank you so much, Alice. ♥
NancyC says
I’ve never had broccoli pesto–it sounds great!