Herb & Miso Pesto
The real flavor is always in the dips, sauces or dressings, especially when they use fresh herbs! These are essential to creating a yummy meal, and the good news is, when you make these sauces from scratch, they can even be healthy! Not only can these be made for a specific meal, but if you have leftovers, you can always add some here or there to salads or sandwiches to add an extra tasty element to your meal. This herb and miso pesto is vegan friendly, and offers a slightly different twist to the traditional pesto. Again, it’s great on sandwiches, as a dressing for a salad, or even just as a dip for crackers and veggies. Give it a try and tell us what you think!
Herb & Miso Pesto Ingredients:
Walnuts- these give it a nice nutty flavor, add a bit of crunch in texture and even provide the pesto with an added protein boost.
Parsley- Yep, you read that right! In place of the traditional basil in pesto's we're mixing it up a little!
Fresh Dill- Another herb to switch up the flavor a bit and keep you on your toes.
Garlic- This is an essential part of the flavor we're looking for.
Lemon Juice- This adds some acidity and makes the pesto taste fresh as well as slightly extend its safe consumption period.
Miso Paste- This adds a nice richness to the pesto and gives it a bit of a umami taste which nicely complements the variety of flavors in this dip.
Nutritional Yeast- Commonly used as an alternative to cheese, this yeast adds a
"cheesy" flavor to the pesto, without the added fat and calories that come with cheese!
Extra Virgin Olive Oil- Make sure to use "Extra Virgin" olive oil, as it is rich in polyphenols which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Salt & Pepper to taste
*Feel free to substitute some of these ingredients for something you might enjoy more. For example, walnuts can be replaced with sunflower seeds or pine nuts, and nutritional yeast can be swapped with parmesan cheese, more similarly to the traditional pesto flavors.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup Walnuts
- 2 cups Parsley (chopped)
- 1 cup Fresh Dill (chopped)
- 2 Garlic (clove, peeled)
- 2 tbsps Lemon Juice
- 1 tsp Miso Paste
- 2 tsps Nutritional Yeast
- Sea Salt & Black Pepper (to taste)
- 1/3 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Directions:
1. Add the walnuts, parsley, dill, garlic, lemon juice, miso paste, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper to a food processor. Pulse until just combined. Scrape down the sides if needed.
2. Start the food processor again and while it is running, slowly pour the olive oil in until combined and the consistency is to your liking.
3. Add to a bowl and serve. Enjoy!
Notes:
Leftovers: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to five days.
Serving Size: One serving is approximately three tablespoons.
No Nutritional Yeast: Use parmesan cheese or omit entirely.
No Walnuts: Use sunflower seeds or pine nuts.
Health Insights:
- Heart Health- The walnuts and extra virgin olive oil in this recipe are rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are known to support heart health. These healthy fats can help lower levels of harmful cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. Additionally, the garlic in the recipe has been associated with blood pressure and cholesterol-lowering benefits.
- Bone Health- This recipe is a good source of Vitamin K, which is essential for bone health. Parsley and dill are both high in this nutrient, which aids in the absorption of calcium and contributes to bone density. Additionally, the calcium and phosphorous found in the ingredients also support bone health.
- Immune System- The high Vitamin C content from the parsley and lemon juice in this recipe contributes to immune support. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the body against free radicals. It also plays a crucial role in the production of white blood cells, which are essential for fighting off infections.
