Meatless Monday - Pesto

Vegan Pesto - one word YUM!So very easy to make and so incredibly delicious.

Ingredients:

• 2-3 cups fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 cup walnuts
• 3 Tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• Pinch of pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• vegan parmesan (optional)

1. Toss all ingredients into your food processor...blend 4 seconds....scrape down the sides and blend some more...scrape sides a bit more and blend a bit more...sample a little bit because it's oh.so.yummy!Then toss some with your favorite dish - my choice this day was pasta...eat up...and share some with someone you love...There was definitely some pesto left-over (yahoo!) so I put it into a covered container in my refrigerator to keep for a few days. If I want to keep it longer, it actually freezes really well. Just put some into a freezer safe container and pop it in there. Remove it about 1/2 hour before you need it in a dish to thaw...simple!Ways I like to use Pesto - (aka reason to make and freeze a LOT):

1. on pasta
2. spread on sandwiches (especially paninis)
3. mixed in a rice dish
4. spread in a vegan pizza
5. mixed in bruschetta
6. thinned with some oil and vinegar for a light dressing
7. tossed with veggies
8. added to soups

Do you have any good ideas to use pesto? Please Share!Happy Meatless Monday!Find other DIY Weekend Warrior posts here: