Recipe: Superfood Basil Pesto

Summer is the perfect time to make your own fresh basil pesto.

There’s nothing like wandering out to your garden (or potted balcony herbs!) in the warm summer evening to pick a few stems of fragrant basil while the crickets are softly chirping. Have the pasta on to boil while you make the pesto, and dinner is ready in a flash. For grain-free diets, this pesto is delicious stirred through chunky steamed zucchini or roasted pumpkin.

This variation makes use of some amazingly nutient-dense ingredients for concentrated nutritional goodness! It is great for boosting fertility.

This combination has a slightly warming nature, good for people with sluggish or cold conditions and to be used sparingly for heat-related conditions such as acne, bad breath or mouth ulcers. If in doubt, come for an acupuncture tune-up and we can advise you.

Health benefits of superfood pesto

Pumpkin seeds

Neutral thermal nature (neither heating nor cooling), sweet-bitter flavour, influences Large Intestine and Spleen-Pancreas (digestion and assimilation of energy), diuretic, helps the body to rid worms (especially round worm and tape worm), used for motion sickness, nausea, impotence, swollen prostate. Rich in zinc and Omega-3 fatty acids.

Walnut

Warming thermal nature, sweet flavour, can reduce inflammation and alleviate pain (may be due to high Omega-3 oil content), moisten Lungs and Large intestines, alleviate cough and wheezing, nourish Kidney-energy and brain, enriches sperm production.

Basil

Warming thermal nature, calms the mind, settles disrupted energy (“Wind”).

Garlic

Warming thermal nature, pungent flavour, promotes circulation and sweating, stimulates sluggish digestion, inhibits viruses like cold and flu and various microorganisms associated with degenerative diseases, eliminates digestive pathogens (such as worms, unfavourable bacteria and yeasts) and promotes healthy gut flora.

Udo’s oil

A plant-based balanced Omega-3-6-9 oil, including one variety that contains plant-based DHA (“fish oils”).

Nutritional yeast (savoury yeast)

A plant-based source of vitamin B12 (check the label as not all varieties contain B12).

Superfood basil pesto

3 cloves garlic, chopped
2/3 cup loosely-packed basil leaves
2/3 cup combination pumpkin seeds and chopped walnuts, ratio to taste
1/3-1/2 cup nutritional yeast (or grated Parmesan cheese)
about 1 cup oil (combination Udo’s Oil and good quality olive oil, ratio to taste)
salt and pepper to taste

In a blender, food processor or mortar & pestle, combine garlic, nuts and basil and process until finely chopped.

Add nutritional yeast (or cheese) and process to a thick, smooth paste.

With blender running on high speed, gradually trickly in the oil until the sauce is thick and creamy.

Season to taste and stir through hot pasta or steamed veggies.