A New Twist on Pesto
Hemp Seed Pesto
Ingredients:
1 cup fresh basil leaves loosely packed
1 cup spinach loosely packed
1/4 cup hemp seed
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
1-2 cloves garlic
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: squeeze of fresh lemon juice
Directions:
Place the basil, spinach, hemp seeds, and garlic cloves into a food processor, or high-speed blender and pulse. As you're pulsing the ingredients, drizzle in the olive oil and continue to pulse until the ingredients are finely chopped and coated in oil. It should become a smooth consistency. Then add in the remaining ingredients and taste. Adjust any seasonings as needed to meet your preferences. Use right away or store the pesto in an airtight container, it will keep in the refrigerator for 3 days.
Hemp Seed Lemon Parsley Pesto
Ingredients:
1 cup parsley leaves, stems removed loosely packed
1 cup spinach loosely packed
1/4 cup hemp seeds
1-2 cloves garlic
Juice from 1/2 lemon
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Place the parsley, hemp seeds, and garlic cloves into a food processor or high-speed blender and pulse. As you're pulsing the ingredients, drizzle in the olive oil and pulse until the ingredients are finely chopped and coated in oil. It should become a smooth consistency. Then add in the remaining ingredients and taste. Adjust any seasonings as needed to meet your preferences. Use right away or store the pesto in an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for three days.
A FEW TIPS:
To make it vegan or dairy free, use nutritional yeast (1/3 cup) instead of parmesan cheese.
Replace the hemp seeds with any nut or seed. For example, try this pesto with pumpkin seeds, pistachios, walnuts, or almonds if using almonds soak them overnight.
Replace the spinach with another leafy green, such as kale or arugula. You can even do a mixture of different greens. I add one cup of arugula to the Lemon Parsley Pesto and its great!
Adjust, or omit any seasonings as needed to meet your preferences, or add in additional seasonings.
This pesto is versatile. I add it to salads, grain bowls, and avocado toast and use it as a sandwich spread. It goes great with pasta, non-gluten pasta, zucchini noodles, sauté, or roasted vegetables, or add it to the GARDEN SUMMER SALAD.
Hemp Seed contains 10 grams of protein in just three tablespoons and is a perfect balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fats. Hemp seeds are a good source of vitamin E and minerals like zinc, iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. They provide protein that the body needs without weighing down the digestion, especially when it’s hot outside.