One of the hardest adjustments for me when adapting to our grain-free lifestyle was finding substitutes for the classic foods my Italian husband loves. Pasta was, of course, at the top of his list, so after much trial and error, I was finally able to make some healthy alternatives that taste even better.
Basil Pesto
While the pesto available in stores is not terrible, it is hard to find one that doesn’t contain hydrogenated oils or grain fillers. Thankfully, basil is one of the easiest herbs to grow. I don’t have a green thumb, but even I can’t seem to kill it. In fact, one summer, we had 3 foot tall basil plants take over the garden.
We made big batches of this when the basil was ready for harvest and froze it to use all year! I found that I actually prefer this, since the pesto was ready to go whenever we needed it.
New to Pesto?
Pesto is essentially just a puree of fresh basil, nuts, olive oil, and garlic. It is a lovely green color and packs quite a punch of flavor. Pesto can be used on spaghetti squash “pasta”, on top of meatloaf, in stir-frys or casseroles for flavor, or with any Italian themed dish. It is also delicious on omelets, biscuits, or grain free bread.
And if you really want a pasta dish, this pesto is great with Paleo Cupboard grain free pasta noodles (pictured above).
Homemade Basil Pesto Recipe
Prep
Total
Yield 1 cup
Fresh basil, garlic, and olive oil... what could be better?
Ingredients
- 2 packed cups fresh basil
- ½ cup raw almonds
- 2 cloves garlic
- ¼ cup olive oil
Instructions
- Put basil, almonds, and garlic in a blender.
- Turn the blender on and slowly add the oil until the pesto is the desired consistency.
- Use right away, store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or freeze for up to 9 months.
Notes
To freeze pesto, I like to put a couple tablespoons in each compartment of an ice cube tray. When they are frozen I dump them in a larger container with a lid and store in the freezer. This method makes it easy to just grab the needed amount.
Courses Condiment
Cuisine Italian
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 2 TBSP
Amount Per Serving | ||
|---|---|---|
Calories 90 | ||
% Daily Value | ||
Total Fat 9.3 g | 14% | |
Saturated Fat 1.1 g | 6% | |
Total Carbohydrates 1.6 g | 1% | |
Dietary Fiber 0.8 g | 3% | |
Sugars 0.3 g | ||
Protein 1.4 g | 3% | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
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Other Homemade Condiment Recipes:
- Mayonnaise
- Egg Free Mayo with Avocado
- Italian Dressing Recipe
- Ranch Dressing Recipe
- Raspberry Vinaigrette
- Asian Vinaigrette
- Homemade Pasta Sauce from fresh tomatoes
- Honey Mustard Sauce and Dressing
- Lactofermented Salsa
- Caesar Dressing
How do you like basil pesto? Share below!
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