Walnut & Lime Pesto

Fresh pesto

I have been playing with making a plant-based pesto and I'm really enjoying this! It can be hard to find pine nuts in Spain, plus they are expensive, so walnuts make a great alternative.

Ingredients (for 1 cup of pesto)

1 cup fresh basil leaves

½ cup walnuts

Juice and zest of 1 lime (start with less and adjust to taste)

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

2 tbsp nutritional yeast

½ tsp garlic powder (I find fresh garlic too strong but if you love it you could use it)

*Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

In a food processor, blend walnuts, lime juice/zest, garlic powder until crumbly.

Add basil, nutritional yeast, salt and pepper. Blend again.

Slowly drizzle in olive oil while blending until it becomes your preferred consistency.

Enjoy with your favourie pasta!

* I use Redmond Real Salt but I also found Vera Salt is free from micro-plastics. There is a lot of controversy surrounding salt, my preference woud be to use Himalayan over a sea salt that contains microplastics.

Health Benefits

This pesto is packed with nutrients. Fresh basil leaves are rich in antioxidants, vitamins A, C and K, and have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that support overall immune health. Walnuts provide heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, protein and fibre, which contribute to cardiovascular health and stable blood sugar levels. Lime juice and zest add vitamin C, which boosts immunity, aids collagen production and enhances iron absorption from plant foods. Extra virgin olive oil delivers monounsaturated fats and polyphenols that support heart health and reduce inflammation, while nutritional yeast adds B vitamins, protein and minerals that support energy metabolism. Garlic powder, in addition to flavour, contains compounds that may support immune function and cardiovascular health.