September 20, 2024
Basil Arugula Pesto
Servings:
2
Difficulty:
Just saying that I love pesto is a massive understatement. It is a top tier condiment, filled with sweet basil and bright citrus with the slight spicy punch of the garlic. I keep a jar of it in my fridge as the perfect spread for toast, sauce for pasta, or even flavor boost for veggie scrambles. The hardest part about making it is just gathering the ingredients!
Why you will love this recipe
Can be used in many ways. Pesto is a pantry staple for me. Use it in pasta, on pizza, in sandwiches, or as a marinade for tofu.
Ready in minutes. All ingredients get tossed into the blender and blended until smooth. No prep work required.
Aids in digestion. Adding bitter greens like arugula can stimulate the release of digestive enzymes which helps you process your meal more smoothly.
Ingredients
¼ cup pumpkin seeds
1 handful basil
1 handful arugula
4 cloves garlic
1 tbsp nutritional yeast
Generous drizzle olive oil
Juice of ½ lemon
Pinch salt
¼ tsp red chili flakes
4 ice cubes
Method
TOAST PUMPKIN SEEDS. Place pumpkin seeds in skillet over medium heat. Roast until fragrant and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
BLEND. Add all ingredients to a food processor. Blend until smooth. Scrape down the sides if necessary.
SERVE. Dollop into pastas, spread on toast, or use as a dip.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use instead of pumpkin seeds in pesto? Feel free to sub the pumpkin seeds for another type of nut or seed. Other ones that I have tried are walnuts and pistachios.
How can I keep the bright green color of pesto? Add a few ice cubes when blending to cool the herbs and maintain freshness.
Why should I add arugula to pesto? Arugula is packed with micronutrients but its bitter flavor may not be the most appealing to all. Adding arugula to pesto is a great way to start eating arugula as the flavor is paired with basil which helps cut the bitterness.
How can I store pesto? Pesto is very freezer friendly. Spoon into ice cube trays and when set, freeze in Tupperware or bags until ready to use.