Ingredients
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3 cups fresh basil leaves
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½ cup hemp seeds
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2 garlic cloves
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½ cup olive oil
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1 teaspoon kosher salt
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1 lemon, juiced
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¼ cup Parmesan or vegan cheese, optional
Instructions
Wash the fresh basil leaves and pat them dry. Peel the garlic cloves and juice the lemon.
2. Add Everything to the Food Processor
Place the basil, hemp seeds, garlic, olive oil, kosher salt, lemon juice, and optional Parmesan or vegan cheese in the food processor.
3. Blend the Pesto
Process until the ingredients are combined and the pesto reaches your preferred texture.
For a smoother pesto, blend longer. For a chunkier texture, pulse a few times and scrape down the sides as needed.
4. Taste and Adjust
Taste the pesto and adjust the lemon juice or salt if desired.
If the pesto is too thick, add a little olive oil and blend again until it reaches the desired consistency.
5. Serve
Toss the hemp seed pesto with cooked pasta, spread it over avocado toast, or use it as a topping for pizza, sandwiches, and your favorite recipes.
Notes
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Dry the basil thoroughly: Excess water can make the pesto watery and may affect its texture.
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Use fresh basil: Fresh, fragrant leaves give the pesto its signature flavor.
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Blend to your preference: Pulse for a chunky pesto or process longer for a smoother consistency.
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Adjust the acidity: Lemon juice brightens the basil and balances the richness of the olive oil.
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Add cheese if desired: Parmesan adds a savory flavor, while vegan cheese makes the recipe suitable for a dairy-free version when the other ingredients are dairy-free.
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Scrape the sides: Stop the food processor occasionally to bring ingredients back toward the blades for more even blending.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Cuisine: Italian
