Basil Almond Pesto is a Gluten Free, Plant based dip that’s tasty and versatile with Pastas, Bread and Crudites
First the avocado came home, followed by the basil and then the almonds were discovered in the freezer. Considering these are expensive ingredients, I wanted to make an exotic dish, and Google helped with this pesto when i asked “Basil + avocado + almonds”. So this dish happened in reverse.Â
Also that almonds (and most nuts for that matter are rich in protein) helped me plan this meal with a little bread and salad for a winning combo 🙂
So, there it was : a delicious pesto that went very well with our Dominos style homemade garlic bread. Yes, it was a garlicky overdose but then the elder kid and the husband – both great fans of garlic – enjoyed the meal. You may also use this pesto to make sandwiches, frankies (a.k.a rolls) wth sphagettior even my savoury pull apart rolls or even the pizza pinwheels.
The list is endless. So, go on and make a batch and enjoy your meal with the delicious vegan and GF pesto.
My little one made those name tags as one batch went to a friend as a birthday gift 🙂 so proudly displaying the jar of pesto with the tags intact 🙂
Other Dips / spreads on the blog that would interest you include:
Vegan Almond Basil Pesto – Vegan & GF
Course : Condiments / Dips
Cuisine : International
Protein source : Almonds
Prep time : 5 mins. Cook – 5 mins ; Makes : 200 ml
PIN FOR LATER
What you need to make Vegan Basil Almond Pesto
- 2 cups Fresh Basil leaves (cleaned, sorted and packed)
- 1/2 cup Blanched almonds (See notes)
- 1/4 cup Olive oil
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper (or to taste)
- 6 pods Garlic (opt. But recommended)
- 2 TBSP Flax seeds
- 1.5 tsp Lemon juice (substitute with nutritional yeast, but watch the salt added)
- 1/2 cup Avocado pulp
Tips and Tricks to make the best Almond Pesto
- Add the basil only at the end, else the pesto will turn darkish green and unattractive within a few hours.
- Add lemon juice also at the end, stir well, and store immediately in an airtight glass jar to prevent oxidation.
- Pine nuts / hazel nuts or even walnuts can be used in place of blanched almonds.
- I am guessing cashews or pistachios also should work. This way you have a plant-based homemade creamy pesto instead of having to add parmesan
- If you have nutritional yeast, go ahead and use it. Check salt then.
- Olive oil indicated above is enough, however a tsp or a little more wont hurt.
Pictorial
How to make Vegan Basil Almond Pesto
- Roast the flax seeds till they splutter, cool.
- Soak almonds for 2 hours, peel and keep aside.
- Else use readymade blanched almonds
- In a food processor, add all ingredients except half of the olive oil, lemon juice and the basil.
- Pulse to a smooth paste.
- Add the basil, a handful at a time, with 2 tsp of olive oil for each batch.
- Grind in spurts and add the lemon juice immediately.
- Store in an airtight jar and refrigerate till using.
This goes to Sunday Funday as we savour dishes made with Almond / Almond meal, hosted by the lovely Camilla. See what the other members of this fun club chose to share for this Theme. This group of amazing bloggers post every Sunday on a different theme hosted by turns. If you want to join us, check out our Facebook group here.
- Mayuri’s Jikoni : Almond Date Balls
- Sid’s Sea Palm Cooking: Banana Pancakes
- Sizzling Tastebuds: Basil Almond Pesto
- Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Chinese Almond Cookies
- A Day in the Life on the Farm: Copycat Panera Thai Chicken Salad
- Sneha’s Recipe: Energy High Protein Shake
- Culinary Cam: Gató de Almendras MallorquÃn
- A Messy Kitchen: Grain Free Almond Flour Cinnamon Pancakes
- Making Miracles: Lemon Almond Muffins
- Mildly Indian: Roasted almond cookies
- Food Lust People Love: Smoky Spicy Roasted Almonds
Vegan Almond Basil Pesto | Vegan and GF Condiments
Equipment
- Thick Bottomed Pan
- Spice Blender
Ingredients
- 2 cups Fresh Basil leaves cleaned, sorted and packed
- 1/2 cup Blanched almonds See notes
- 1/4 cup Olive oil
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper or to taste
- 6 pods Garlic opt. But recommended
- 2 TBSP Flax seeds
- 1.5 tsp Lemon juice substitute with nutritional yeast, but watch the salt added
- 1/2 cup Avocado pulp
Instructions
- Roast the flax seeds till they splutter, cool.
- Soak almonds for 2 hours, peel and keep aside.
- Else use readymade blanched almonds
- In a food processor, add all ingredients except half of the olive oil, lemon juice and the basil.
- Pulse to a smooth paste.
- Add the basil, a handful at a time, with 2 tsp of olive oil for each batch.
- Grind in spurts and add the lemon juice immediately.
- Store in an airtight jar and refrigerate till using.
Notes
- Add the basil only at the end, else the pesto will turn darkish green and unattractive within a few hours.Â
- Add lemon juice also at the end, stir well, and store immediately in an airtight glass jar to prevent oxidation.
- Pine nuts / hazel nuts or even walnuts can be used in place of blanched almonds.
- I am guessing cashews or pistachios also should work. This way you have a plant-based homemade creamy pesto instead of having to add parmesan
- If you have nutritional yeast, go ahead and use it. Check salt then.Â
- Olive oil indicated above is enough, however a tsp or a little more wont hurt.Â
Lipsmacking here, such a flavourful and very nutty pesto to relish with some pasta or bread slices. Loving it to the core.
Basil is my weakness , I can eat anything cooked with it . I love its aroma and flavor , trust me I feel taking a lick from that super rich jar . I must try this pesto with almonds , going off the traditional pine nuts . Super pick .
This is a wonderful flavourful pesto Kalyani. We don't get basil here, so haven't yet tasted it, but by the looks of it, this one is surely a delicious pesto..
I am yet to cook with Avocado though I have made pestos with other ingredients..this is one super rich sauce!
Pesto gets a nice makeover with the addition of almonds..
I am a garlic fan too. This pesto looks so inviting and flavourful. The tag is lovely, kudos to your daughter.
As Vaishali mentioned, I too love basil leaves in any form. The vegan pesto turned out super nice and all I need is some pasta to finish that off.
The pesto looks so good and it would have tasted awesome with that garlic bread. So nice of kiddo to share a jar with her fried,nice tag btw.
So you know what gets in line next? I am in the process of emptying my fridge and refilling it.:D Love the dip Kalyani.
Love the aroma and nutty flavor in this sauce and addition of almonds makes it very easy recipe compare to pine nuts.
Those exotic items have produced an exotic recipe indeed! I love vibrant colors and after a colorful hummus, this also looks nice and brilliant on the screen
That's certainly a different kind of pesto. I would love to try it out. Lovely color too.
This pesto is inviting. Addition of almonds makes them very interesting – Anlet Prince
Love this pesto with flax seeds and almonds. I make these pesto without parmesan cheese too. Love this version. Great share.
One such healthy pesto,got a lovely color..
wow! nice vegan pesto recipe. Addition of almonds is interesting!
I have never added flaxseeds or avocado to my pesto. I”m going to give it a try. Thanks.
Do try, am sure you would love this
I’m a huge garlic fan too. This pesto is beautiful and I’m sure it’s very tasty.
It sure is, Karen. Garlic for the win 🙂
What a delightfully creamy version of pesto!
Thanks Kelly
Love the substitution of almonds for pine nuts which have gotten so expensive! Pinning for summertime when my basil plants are always overgrown.
Awesome. That sounds like a plan, Stacy
I am guessing because of the avocado this pesto would have to be used up within a day or two. A cheese free pesto recipe which I will be trying out soon, not because I don’t like cheese. It just gives me the opportunity to use my favourite avocado.
yeah absolutely. It has a short life but delish at the same time. Do try