Pesto is a zesty addition to all kinds of recipes.  Here’s three different ways to prepare it.  Enjoy them all!!

1. Basil Pesto

Ingredients

• 4 cups organic fresh basil leaves, packed and washed well
• 1/2 cup organic pine nuts, toasted until golden and cooled (watch closely while cooking so they don’t burn, and stir a few times).  Can also use organic walnuts.
• 1/2 cup freshly grated organic Parmesan cheese
• 2 large organic garlic cloves, minced or pressed
• 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil
• Celtic or Himalayan sea salt and black pepper, to taste
• Optional, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• Note: For spicy basil pesto add 1/2 tsp crushed organic red pepper

Directions

1. Place basil in a food processor.
2. Pour in approximately 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and blend basil into a paste.
3. Add pine nuts a little at a time, Parmesan cheese, garlic, chili powder (optional), and remaining oil.
4. Continue blending until the mixture is smooth.

2. Arugula Pesto

Ingredients

• 1 cup packed organic arugula
• 1/2 cup raw organic almonds or walnuts
• 1 tablespoon fresh organic lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 2-3 tablespoons cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil
• Celtic or Himalayan sea salt and organic black pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Put the arugula, almonds, lemon juice, lemon zest, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a food processor.
2. Pulse until blended to a paste.
3. Add in the remaining olive oil, salt, and pepper.

3. Roasted Red Pepper Pesto or Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons roasted organic pine nuts
• 2 cups organic roasted red peppers (sliced) or 12 sun-dried tomatoes (chopped)
• 1/2 cup packed fresh organic basil leaves
• 2 cloves of organic garlic
• 2 tablespoons grated organic Parmesan cheese
• 2-3 tablespoons cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil
• Celtic or Himalayan sea salt and freshly ground organic black pepper, to taste
• Option:  For spicier pesto, 1/4 – 1/2 tsp crushed organic red pepper

Directions

1. Place pine nuts, red peppers, basil, garlic, parmesan cheese, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a food processor.
2. Process until thick and smooth in consistency, adding more oil as necessary to create a thick paste.
3. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.