Cheats Pesto

I don’t know about you but unless it is the peak of summer I don’t have a spare 2 cups of fresh basil in my garden or fridge to make pesto… but I do have flat leaf parsley growing in the garden all year round and baby spinach is always included in my weekly grocer shop!

This Cheats Pesto recipe is fantastic for parties and super economical for using as a pasta sauce or over atlantic salmon. Impress your friends - and if you don’t tell them your secret… they will never know!!

CHEATS PESTO

Ingredients:

2 cups fresh parsley or baby spinach leaves, packed

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

3-4 drops doTERRA basil essential oil

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/3 cup pine nuts or walnuts

3 garlic cloves, minced (about 3 teaspoons)

1/4 teaspoon salt, more to taste

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, more to taste

Method:

Pulse green leaves and nuts in a food processor. 

Add garlic and cheese. Pulse several times more.

Scrape down the sides of the food processor with a rubber spatula.  Slowly add the olive oil while the food processor is running.  Doing it slowly will help it emulsify and keep the olive oil from separating.  Occasionally stop to scrape down the side of the food processor. 

Add basil essential oil – start with 1 drop and add more to taste. 

Pulsing the food processor each time to allow the basil essential oil and olive oil to combine.  

Stir in salt and freshly ground black pepper, add more to taste. Serve with crackers, toss with pasta for a quick sauce or dollop over baked potatoes.

A note from Gracious Goodness :

Why do I like to spike my hummus with essential oils? You mean, aside from adding ahhmazing taste?

Basil essential oil can help to keep the skin looking clean, clear, and healthy & supports cardiovascular and nervous system health when consumed : promotes mental alertness and lessens anxious feelings when diffused.

Only ever use essential oils in your cooking that say they are safe for internal use on the label. These oils will have the Food Standards of Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) tick of approval as a food additive.

If you would like to learn more about CPtG food safe essentials oils head over to here or send me a message. I would love to chat with you about my two favourite things - food and oils!

Sandra xo