Vegan Basil Pesto

I’ve heard people say that pesto is the besto, and when it comes to homemade pesto, it goes without saying that it lives up that 100%. I’ll be honest, I’m typically a red sauce kind of girl when it comes to pizza or pasta, but pesto has been growing on me more and more lately, especially when it is homemade with love, and fresh, local ingredients. This by far is my favorite vegan garlicky basil pesto recipe, and trust me, you don’t need the cheese when it tastes this good!

Not to mention GARLIC is filled with so many powerful health benefits:

• It contains nutrients such as Manganese, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Selenium, Fiber

• Can help boots the immune system to fight common cold

• reduce blood pressure

• contains antioxidants that protect against cell damage and aging

• Has known beneficial effects on common causes of chronic disease

• May help detoxify heavy metals in the body

• And more

Ingredients:

• 8 cloves of garlic

• 2 chopped garlic scapes (optional/if in season)

• 16 oz fresh basil

• 3 shredded kale leaves (optional)

• 1 small handful of walnuts, pine nuts or nut of choice

• 1/2 lemon juiced

• 1/2 + cup of olive oil to blend

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients in a high speed blender or Vitamix. Pulse to combine, then gradually increase speed until blended to the consistency that you’d like. Use for pizza, pasta, salad dressing, marinades, and more!