Pepita Pesto

Pepita Pesto

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts or pepitas

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

  • 1 small garlic clove

  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

  • Freshly ground black pepper

  • 2 cups basil leaves

  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, more for a smoother pesto

  • Optional: nutritional yeast, capers, or oil-packed sun dried tomatoes

Directions

  • In a food processor, combine the pine nuts, lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper, and pulse until well chopped.
  • Add the basil and pulse until combined.
  • With the food processor running, drizzle in the olive oil and pulse until combined.
  • For extra cheesy flavor, add 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast. For brinier flavor, add 2 teaspoons capers. For more umami, add 2 oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes. Briefly pulse to combine. Taste and adjust, adding more nutritional yeast, capers, or sun-dried tomatoes, as desired. For a smoother pesto, add more olive oil.

Notes