Easy Vegan Pesto Vegan Richa from www.veganricha.com
Introduction
Pesto is a traditional Italian sauce that is made with basil, garlic, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, and olive oil. However, as a vegan, you might want to try a dairy-free version of pesto that is just as delicious. Vegan pesto is easy to make, and it is a great way to add flavor to your pasta, sandwiches, or roasted vegetables. In this article, we will share a recipe for vegan pesto that is healthy, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make.
Ingredients
To make vegan pesto, you will need the following ingredients:
2 cups of fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup of raw walnuts or pine nuts
3 cloves of garlic
1/2 cup of nutritional yeast
1/2 cup of extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp of sea salt
1/4 tsp of black pepper
Basil
Basil is the main ingredient in pesto, and it gives the sauce its signature flavor. Fresh basil leaves are the best for pesto, but you can use dried basil if you don't have fresh.
Nuts
Traditionally, pesto is made with pine nuts, but you can also use walnuts or almonds. Raw nuts are the best for pesto because they are more flavorful.
Garlic
Garlic adds a pungent flavor to pesto. You can use more or less garlic depending on your taste preference.
Nutritional Yeast
Nutritional yeast is a vegan alternative to parmesan cheese. It has a cheesy, nutty flavor and is a great source of protein and vitamins.
Olive Oil
Extra-virgin olive oil is the best oil to use for pesto. It has a fruity flavor that complements the other ingredients in the sauce.
Sea Salt and Black Pepper
Sea salt and black pepper enhance the flavor of the pesto and bring out the other ingredients' natural flavors.
Instructions
Making vegan pesto is easy and only takes a few minutes. Here's how to do it:
Wash the basil leaves and pat them dry with a paper towel.
Toast the walnuts or pine nuts in a pan over medium heat until they are lightly browned.
Peel the garlic cloves and chop them roughly.
Add the basil leaves, toasted nuts, garlic, nutritional yeast, sea salt, and black pepper to a food processor.
Pulse the ingredients until they are roughly chopped.
With the food processor running, slowly pour in the olive oil until the ingredients are fully blended.
Taste the pesto and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Enjoy!
Nutrition
This vegan pesto recipe is not only delicious but also healthy. Here is the nutritional information for one serving (2 tbsp) of pesto:
Calories: 136
Fat: 13g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Carbohydrates: 2g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 3g
Calories
One serving of pesto contains 136 calories, which is relatively low compared to other sauces.
Fat
The fat content of pesto is mainly from the nuts and olive oil, which are healthy fats that can help reduce cholesterol levels.
Carbohydrates and Fiber
Pesto is low in carbohydrates and high in fiber, which makes it a great addition to a low-carb or keto diet.
Protein
Pesto contains a moderate amount of protein, which comes mainly from the nutritional yeast and nuts.
Conclusion
Vegan pesto is a simple, flavorful, and healthy sauce that you can make in minutes. With this recipe, you can enjoy the traditional taste of pesto without the dairy. You can use pesto with pasta, sandwiches, roasted vegetables, or as a dip. The possibilities are endless. Give this recipe a try, and you won't be disappointed!
