Pork Free Garlic Ginger Fresh Herb Pesto
This vibrant, herb-forward pesto takes the classic formula somewhere genuinely exciting, swapping pine nuts for raw sunflower seeds and adding a hit of fresh ginger that makes the whole thing feel alive. The combination of basil and flat-leaf parsley gives it a layered, grassy depth, while the ricotta lends a creamy, slightly tangy richness that holds everything together beautifully. Garlic and ginger do the heavy lifting on bold flavor, so every spoonful has a little warmth and brightness that store-bought versions simply can't match. The food processor does most of the work in just a few pulses, making this an effortless condiment that punches well above its effort level. It's naturally free from any cured or processed meats, relying entirely on fresh produce, seeds, and dairy — so there's nothing to second-guess in the ingredient list. Toss it with pasta, spread it on crusty bread, or dollop it over roasted vegetables; it's the kind of sauce that makes everything it touches taste more intentional. Make a batch on the weekend and freeze the extras in small portions so you always have something this good within reach.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
- ½ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, packed
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
- ¼ cup raw sunflower seeds
- ¼ cup fresh ricotta
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ tsp salt, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Add the basil, parsley, garlic, and ginger to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse 8–10 times until the herbs are roughly broken down and the garlic and ginger are finely chopped.
- 2
Add the sunflower seeds and fresh ricotta. Pulse another 6–8 times until the seeds are coarsely ground and the mixture looks evenly combined but still has some texture.
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