Raw Basil Walnut Pesto Sauce Recipe

Pesto Ingredients:

• 4 cups basil leaves, loosely packed
• 1 cup parsley leaves, loosely packed
• 1 - 2 tsp sweetener of your choice
• 2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper
• 1/4 - 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup walnut pieces, soaked overnight, drained and rinsed
• Optional: 1 clove fresh garlic, minced

Directions:

1. Chop the basil and parsley until reduced to 1 cup basil and 1/4 cup parsley
2. Blend all ingredients except walnuts until smooth
3. Add walnuts gradually and continue blending, adding more olive oil as needed for desired consistency
4. Adjust seasonings
5. Store refrigerated in a tightly covered container
6. Pack 2 cups basil and 1 cup parsley into the blender. Add oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper

Helpful Pesto Hints:

Purists say you must make pesto in a mortar and pestle for full authentic flavor. Do that if you have the time and patience. I'm not that discriminating, and can't wait that long for my pesto!

If you don't grow basil, the large quantity required for pesto can often be found at farmers markets, or in a friends garden. For a pesto addict, all basil growers are your best friends!

Fresh herbs, especially basil, aren't Good Keepers - the least time between picking and pestoing, the better

When you add the pesto to hot pasta, oil the pasta first

Good Things to Eat With Your Pesto

Besides being the ideal companion for pasta, pesto has many other wonderful uses, such as the hummus pesto sandwich I mentioned, or combined with a bit of sour cream as a dip, spread on crackers, thinned with a little oil and lemon as a dressing for salad or steamed veggies, spread on a hot baked potato, etc. etc.

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