Breastfeeding Friendly Vegan Basil Pesto with Lemon Zest
Fresh basil brings a bright, herby backbone to this vibrant green sauce, while toasted pine nuts add a warm, nutty depth that makes every spoonful feel a little luxurious. A hit of lemon zest and fresh lemon juice lifts the whole thing, keeping it lively rather than heavy — exactly what you want when your appetite and energy levels are constantly shifting. Nutritional yeast steps in for parmesan, delivering that savory, umami richness without any dairy, which matters when you're paying close attention to what goes into your body and your baby's. Extra-virgin olive oil is the healthy fat that pulls it all together into a silky, spoonable consistency that clings beautifully to pasta, roasted vegetables, or a thick slice of crusty bread. The whole process comes together in a food processor with just a handful of whole, recognizable ingredients — no preservatives, no mystery additives, nothing you'd have to second-guess. Toasting the pine nuts first is a small step that pays off big, coaxing out a deeper flavor that makes this sauce taste far more involved than it actually is. Make a batch, stash it in the fridge, and you've got a fast, nourishing flavor boost ready to go on even the most exhausting days.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- ⅓ cup pine nuts
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 tsp lemon zest (from about 1 lemon)
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1–2 tbsp water, as needed
Instructions
- 1
Toast the pine nuts in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant, about 2–3 minutes. Watch closely, as they can brown quickly. Transfer immediately to a plate and let cool for 2 minutes.
- 2
Combine the toasted pine nuts, basil, garlic, nutritional yeast, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper in a food processor. Pulse 8–10 times until the mixture is coarsely chopped and the ingredients are evenly broken down.
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