It’s easy to make, incredibly versatile depending on what greens and nuts you have on hand, and BIG on flavor. Put this magical sauce on anything to make it 1,000x more delicious.
Origin of Pesto
Pesto is a sauce that is believed to have originated in the Liguria region of northwestern Italy. It’s thought that it may have evolved from a 13th century garlic-based sauce called aggiadda or from the tradition of using aromatic herbs in the Middle Ages. The first written recipe for pesto was from Giovanni Battista Ratto in his 19th century work The Genoese cuisine. This recipe was a mix of garlic, basil, and cheese (source). Our plant-based version is not traditional, but uses basil and garlic and has a similar flavor. We add kale and parsley for a diversity of greens and nutrients.
How to Make Vegan Kale Pesto
This recipe requires just 10 minutes, 1 bowl, and 9 ingredients to make. The base is whatever greens you have on hand – such as kale, collards, or beet greens – and fresh herbs. I love the taste of fresh basil and parsley in pesto, so I suggest both. Feel free to customize with whatever greens and herbs you have on hand.
Next comes your nut or seed of choice – I went for brazil nuts and hemp seeds. Then add lemon for acidity, garlic for flavor and kick, nutritional yeast for cheesiness, and salt for overall flavor. To keep this recipe oil-free, sub the olive oil for water. Or mix a little of both, which I prefer doing. That way, you get a bit of that creamy texture without adding too much oil. A quick blend and bam! Fresh vegan pesto is ready to enjoy on all the carby things. We hope you LOVE this pesto. It’s: FreshVibrantVersatilePacked with greensBig on flavorSuper healthyCheesyGarlicky& Super delicious This would make the perfect addition to pasta night. I suggest throwing it in things like tofu ricotta cheese or almond ricotta cheese before adding to pasta or pizza, adding a dollop to your marinara for even bolder flavor, or serving with Crispy Gluten-Free Vegan Parmesan, Spaghetti Squash Lasagna, or Sweet Potato Lasagna! It would also be delicious slathered on my Garlic Herb Flatbread. Serious yum. If you try this dish, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
