Sweet Pea Pesto

Delicious pesto flavor without all of the oil!

#herbs #seasonal #soyfree #gf #vegan

Pesto is pretty much on repeat in our house all summer long. It is the perfect recipe to feature in-season basil and enjoy with all of the garden-fresh tomatoes! I really love this recipe because it uses a lot of basil and helps me keep my plants under control. However, requiring an inordinate amount of basil and oil to make even a small amount of pesto is typically one of the drawbacks to this delicious sauce. The solution... sweet peas! These little green legumes not only keep the pesto vibrantly green, but also provide some body and natural sweetness. The result is a beautiful pesto that lacks nothing but the oil!

Serves 3-4

Ingredients:

1 cup frozen peas, defrosted

½ cup pine nuts or walnuts

2-3 cloves garlic

¾ teaspoon salt

1 lemon, juiced

3 cups packed basil

Directions:

1. Place all of the ingredients in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth.

2. Add the basil and blend until mostly smooth. If the pesto is too thick to blend, add water one tablespoon at a time.

3. Toss with the desired amount of pasta, use as a pizza topping, or enjoy as a dip for bread.