Pesto Genovese

Pesto Genovese is a vibrant, flavor-packed sauce made from fresh basil, garlic, and nuts, perfect for elevating any pasta dish. This vegan version captures the authentic taste of Italy while being completely plant-based.

Ingredients

• Fresh basil leaves - 50 grams
• Pine nuts - 30 grams
• Garlic - 1 clove
• Nutritional yeast - 2 tablespoons
• Extra virgin olive oil - 60 ml
• Lemon juice - 1 tablespoon
• Salt - 1/2 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/4 teaspoon
• Pasta (your choice) - 200 grams

Steps

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
2. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the pesto by combining the fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper in a food processor.
3. Pulse the ingredients together while slowly adding the olive oil until the mixture is smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as necessary.
4. Once the pasta is cooked, reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water and then drain the pasta.
5. In a large bowl, mix the hot pasta with the pesto, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
6. Serve immediately, garnished with extra pine nuts and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.

Nutrition

• Calories: 450
• Protein: 12 g
• Carbs: 60 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Water: 0.2 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in antioxidants from fresh basil, which can help reduce inflammation.
• Provides healthy fats from pine nuts and olive oil, promoting heart health.

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