Le Pistou Vegan Pesto
Elevate your plant-based cooking with "Le Pistou Vegan Pesto," a vibrant and dairy-free twist on the classic French sauce. This quick and easy recipe, ready in just 10 minutes, combines fresh basil leaves, creamy raw cashews, and tangy nutritional yeast to deliver a luscious, vegan-friendly alternative to traditional pesto. Infused with garlic, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and extra-virgin olive oil, this versatile sauce boasts a rich, herby flavor profile perfect for tossing with pasta, drizzling over roasted vegetables, or spreading on crusty bread. Whether you're vegan, dairy-free, or simply looking for a fresh basil recipe, this creamy pistou is a must-try kitchen staple. Store it in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for extended use, so you can enjoy its fresh, zesty taste any time!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 cup raw cashews (unsalted)
- 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 0.5 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 tablespoons water (optional, for thinning)
Instructions
Wash and pat dry the basil leaves to remove any dirt or moisture.
In a food processor or blender, combine the basil leaves, olive oil, raw cashews, nutritional yeast, and garlic cloves.
Add the freshly squeezed lemon juice and sea salt to the mixture. Blend until the ingredients are fully combined and the pesto has a smooth, creamy consistency. Stop occasionally to scrape down the sides of the processor for even blending.
If the mixture is too thick for your liking, add 1-2 tablespoons of water and blend again until the desired consistency is reached.
Taste the pesto and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more salt or lemon juice to enhance the flavor.
Transfer the vegan pesto to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
Serve as a dip, spread, or with pasta, roasted vegetables, or crusty bread.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2972 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 298.4 g | 383% | |
| Saturated Fat | 42.9 g | 214% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1199 mg | 52% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 56.4 g | 21% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 9.6 g | 34% | |
| Total Sugars | 10.8 g | ||
| Protein | 35.8 g | 72% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 113 mg | 9% | |
| Iron | 12.6 mg | 70% | |
| Potassium | 1418 mg | 30% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
