Sun Dried Tomato Pesto

This pesto is so incredibly flavourful, it lasts a long time in the fridge and it is so versatile. I use it as my base for pizzas, toss grilled veggies in it, add it to scrambled eggs and quiche and use it in a grilled panini sandwich. It can be hard to find quality jarred sun dried tomatoes that use olive oil instead of sunflower or safflower oil, but if you cannot find them with olive oil, my suggestion would be to squeeze as much oil out as possible and then use a little more olive oil in the recipe if needed for a good consistency.

3 cups sun dried tomatoes
1/4 cup fresh parsley
2 garlic cloves
1 1/2 tablespoon raw honey
1 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (you may need more)
salt to taste
Note- Omit the honey for a low carb tapenade.

If you are using sun dried tomatoes in oil, be sure to drain the oil from the  sun dried tomatoes.

Next, add all of your ingredients to the food processor, except for the oil, use the pulse button on the food processor and pulse until everything is well combined and broken down.

Next, turn your food processor back on for 10-15 seconds and add the olive oil, you may need more. Season with salt and fresh ground pepper.

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Basil and Pine Nut Pesto

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4 cups fresh basil
1/2 cup raw pine nuts
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan
1 teaspoon chili flakes
2 teaspoons raw honey  (omit honey for a low carb pesto)
2 cloves garlic
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste.

Here is the process!
Gather all of your ingredients to ensure that you do not forget one of the delicious ingredients. Oh by the way, I forgot to put a fresh lemon into this picture. See, even I forget :)
Remove the basil leaves from the large stems of the plant.Next, add all of the ingredients to your food processor, except for the olive oil, use the pulse button until everything is combined nicely. Turn the food processor back on and slowly incorporate the olive oil, season with sea salt and pepper.
 
Cook Outside the Box
Toss pasta with this fresh basil pesto and make a pasta salad
Add this pesto to your next grill cheese sandwiches or burgers
Make warm goat cheese and basil pesto toasts and eat them for breakfast or serve them as an appetizer
Toss warm new potatoes in the basil pesto and add some chopped onion

Bon Appétit!