Toasted Walnut Pesto {Two Ways}

I had a special request from my college friend, Steph for some meatless, dairy free dishes. She hosts the blog Wobbling in Stilettos which is all about her baby, Levi, and her adventures in organic parenting. I decided to come up with a dairy free pesto so that she can use it over pastas, veggies or whatever. {Check out my Pesto Spaghetti Squash}. But for those of you who LOVE cheese, don't worry, I made one with cheese as well.

Toasted Walnut Pesto

Toasted Walnut Pesto

2 C fresh basil leaves

1/2 chopped walnuts, toasted

3 cloves garlic

1/2 C shredded Parmesan cheese

3/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

Juice from 1/2 lemon

Zest from 1 lemon

1/3 -1/2 C extra virgin olive oil

Pulse the basil, walnuts, garlic, Parmesan, salt, pepper, lemon juice and zest in a food processor, a few times. Stream in the olive oil and turn blend everything on high. Scrape down sides with a spatula, blend again. Taste and adjust seasonings, if necessary.

So, the only think you do to make the pesto vegan, or dairy free, is to omit the cheese and decrease the olive oil a little. Here ya go: 

Vegan Toasted Walnut Pesto {Without Cheese} 

Vegan Toasted Walnut Pesto {Without Cheese}

2 C fresh basil leaves

1/2 chopped walnuts, toasted

3 cloves garlic

3/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

Juice from 1/2 lemon

Zest from 1 lemon

1/4- 1/3 C extra virgin olive oil

Pulse the basil, walnuts, garlic, salt, pepper, lemon juice and zest in a food processor, a few times. Stream in the olive oil and turn blend everything on high. Scrape down sides with a spatula, blend again. Taste and adjust seasonings, if necessary. 

This pesto is so zesty and good. I had to MAKE myself quit eating it on Wheat Thins. What's wrong with me?

If you are looking for a recipe for regular basil spinach pesto with pine nuts, click here.

Hope you like this, Steph! One more thing to cross off the bucket list!

click to print regular recipe            click to print vegan recipe