Access to all articles, new health classes, discounts in our store, and more!
Creamy Basil Pesto
Background info: Among other iconic Italian dishes and culinary preparations, pesto has captivated tastebuds for thousands of years. One of the earliest forms of pesto, called moretum, was enjoyed by the ancient Romans and consisted of crushed garlic, salt, herbs, olive oil, and vinegar, while another ancient predecessor, called agliata, was made from mashed walnuts and garlic, and remains popular in Genovese cuisine today.
Since the mid-19th century, basil has replaced other herbs as the most common main ingredient of pesto. Likely originating in Africa and being domesticated in India, basil was relatively uncommon in the U.S. until the 1970’s, and has since become a culinary staple and is regaining attention for its medicinal properties, with recent research pointing to the potential antibacterial properties of its essential oils.
—Price-Pottenger
● ● ●
Prep Time: 6 minutes
Servings: 5-6
This is hands down my favorite sauce! I use it on just about any savory food to amplify the flavor and increase the health benefits.
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh basil (about 1 ounce)
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1-4 garlic cloves (or garlic powder to taste)
- ½ cup walnuts
- ½ cup freshly grated grass-fed Parmesan cheese
- 1 large avocado (or 2 small)
- Salt, pepper, and fresh squeezed lemon to taste
Directions
- Place all the ingredients except the avocado in a food processor and mix well.
- Add the avocado and continue mixing until just combined.
- Store in an airtight container with a thin layer of olive oil on top of the pesto to preserve freshness.
Reprinted with permission from Beyond Nutrition: The Ultimate Cookbook for a Healthier & Higher-Quality Life by Ryan Kennedy, CCN, CFMP.
About the Author
Ryan Kennedy is a Functional Medicine Practitioner and Board-Certified Clinical Nutritionist who takes a holistic approach to helping his patients improve their health. He has helped thousands of people break free from fad diets and feelings of discouragement with the conventional approach. To learn more about his work, find him on instagram@ryanckennedy or on his website, www.ryan-kennedy.com.
Check out other recipes from Ryan Kennedy, CCN, CFMP, CTN:
Lemon Poppyseed Collagen Muffins
Wild Cod with Pesto Carrot Noodles
Price-Pottenger members can read hundreds of additional articles on our website.
To become a member, click here.
Published in the Price-Pottenger Journal of Health & Healing
Spring 2020 | Volume 44, Number 1
Copyright © 2020 Price-Pottenger Nutrition Foundation, Inc.®
All Rights Reserved Worldwide