Sunflower Seed Pesto Recipe Is Delicious Without Expensive Pine Nuts (7 Ingredients, 5 Minutes) Sauces/Condiments Budget Recipes Farm to Table Recipe Pasta Italian Recipes Low Sugar Recipes

I tend to be a picky eater, but I love pesto. This surprises people because, as they tell me, many fussy eaters tend not to like pesto and other flavorful, aromatic sauces like it. I must be the exception, then because I could eat it daily!

This five-minute basil pesto recipe is made with fresh basil leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, fresh garlic, sunflower seeds, salt, black pepper and extra virgin olive oil. The ingredients are pulsed together in a blender or food processor. So simple. You can also freeze the pesto in ice cube trays for later use.

I love the sunflower seed pesto in pasta, on chicken, with bread, in my family’s favorite pasta salad and more! Of course homemade is always the best. Pesto also has health benefits.

Here is a wonderful pesto recipe from my friend Craig Couture, teacher by day and award-winning local cook by night (weekends). Enjoy!

Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Here's how to make it: 

1. In a food processor or blender, blend basil, Parmesan cheese, garlic, sunflower seeds, salt and pepper. (Like things spicy? Add some ground cayenne or crushed red pepper flakes.)
2. Once roughly chopped, slowly stream in extra virgin olive oil while the food processor is on. Process until smooth. (For a thinner pesto, add more olive oil until you reach your preferred consistency.) 
3. Use immediately for pasta dishes, pizza or as an herb sauce for meat dishes like chicken kebabs.

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