Pacifist Pesto
Brighten up your dishes with Pacifist Pesto, a fresh and creamy vegan twist on the classic Italian sauce! Packed with vibrant basil, nutrient-rich baby spinach, and velvety raw cashews, this dairy-free pesto delivers bold flavor while staying completely plant-based. Nutritional yeast adds a subtle umami note, while a splash of freshly squeezed lemon juice brings a zesty brightness. Toasted cashews lend a delicate nutty aroma, perfectly complemented by aromatic garlic and silky extra virgin olive oil. With just a 10-minute prep time and no cooking required, this versatile pesto is perfect for drizzling over pasta, spreading on sandwiches, or even as a dip. It's wholesome, quick, and freezer-friendly, making it an essential addition to any kitchen!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup Baby spinach
- 1 cup Raw cashews
- 2 pieces Garlic cloves
- 3 tablespoons Nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons Freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 0.25 cup Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Cold water
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Ground black pepper
Instructions
Wash the basil leaves and baby spinach thoroughly, then pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
In a dry skillet, lightly toast the cashews over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until they are slightly golden and aromatic. Let them cool for a few minutes.
In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, baby spinach, toasted cashews, garlic cloves, and nutritional yeast. Pulse a few times to roughly chop and combine the ingredients.
Add the lemon juice, olive oil, cold water, salt, and black pepper to the processor. Blend until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. Stop as needed to scrape down the sides of the processor bowl to ensure everything is well mixed.
Taste the pesto and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed.
Transfer the pesto to an airtight container. Use immediately or refrigerate for up to 5 days. The pesto can also be frozen in ice cube trays for single-use portions.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1413 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 120.3 g | 154% | |
| Saturated Fat | 19.5 g | 98% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1022 mg | 44% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 57.6 g | 21% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 13.7 g | 49% | |
| Total Sugars | 9.3 g | ||
| Protein | 39.3 g | 79% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 273 mg | 21% | |
| Iron | 15.6 mg | 87% | |
| Potassium | 1599 mg | 34% | |
*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.
