Almond Pesto
Skip the store-brand pesto and make your own with just a few simple ingredients that only take minutes to whip up. Almond Pesto is the perfect condiment to add fresh flavor to just about anything!
Equipment
- Food processor or blender
Ingredients
- 3 cups lightly packed fresh basil
- 1-3 garlic cloves I use 1 large for this recipe
- 1/4 cup roasted unsalted almonds
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese see notes for other cheese options
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- pinch red pepper flakes optional
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Add first 7 ingredients to a food processor or blender and blend for 10-15 seconds to break up ingredients. The mixture won't be smooth.
- Scrape down the sides of the processor with a spatula.
- With the food processor on, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Blend for no more than 10-15 seconds once you start to add the olive oil.
- Taste for seasonings and enjoy!
Notes
Tips:
- Substitute parmesan cheese for - Asiago, Pecorino Romano, Manchego, and Grana Padano.
- Dairy free options- Leave out the cheese and add in a few more nuts or seeds. Nutritional Yeast is a great replacement for cheese. Add in 2 tablespoons in place of the parmesan cheese.
- How long does pesto last- Fresh pesto will last 1 week in a sealed container in the fridge. Up to 6 months in the freezer.
- Keep pesto from drying out- Drizzle olive oil over the top of the pesto before storing in the fridge. When ready to use, stir and enjoy.
- Don't over blend pesto- Be careful not to over mix the pesto in the food processor. This can cause a bitter taste. Pesto should have some texture and not be entirely smooth.
- How to keep pesto color bright green- Make sure to seal up any unused pesto shortly after you make it. This will retain that gorgeous green color. The more times pesto is exposed to oxygen, the easier it is to loose its color.
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving size: 1/4 cup per serving | |
| Servings: 4 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 401 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 39.8g | 51% |
| Saturated Fat 8.4g | 42% |
| Cholesterol 20mg | 7% |
| Sodium 311mg | 14% |
| Total Carbohydrate 4.2g | 2% |
| Dietary Fiber 1.8g | 6% |
| Total Sugars 0.6g | |
| Protein 12.6g | |
| Vitamin D 0mcg | 0% |
| Calcium 323mg | 25% |
| Iron 1mg | 6% |
| Potassium 56mg | 1% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |
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