Dairy-Free Pesto

I love pesto, however, I am not a huge fan of the taste of olive oil and I am allergic to milk, thus I can not have cheese. So I experimented with coconut oil and omitted the cheese.  I loved how it turned out and I've already made some fun, tasty dishes with it :) 

Pesto

Makes approx. 2/3 cup

Ingredients: basil, nuts, garlic cloves, salt, pepper, coconut oil, olive oil, and lemon juice {optional}

In a food processor place:

• 1 cup basil {compacted/pushed down}

• 1/2 cup nuts {I used my soaked and dehydrated almonds and macadamia nuts; pine nuts and walnuts are also great for pestos}

• 2-3 garlic cloves

• 1/3 tsp salt

•1/4 tsp pepper 

• 1/4 cup melted coconut oil {can sub olive oil} 

•2-4 Tbsp olive oil {can sub coconut oil :) }

• 2-3 Tbsp lemon juice {optional}

Pulse together until well blended and creamy

*Optional: Add1/2 cup Parmesan or Romano cheese

*Store in the fridge or the freezer

Then have fun creating meals with your pesto. You can create pastas, pizzas, or a Mushroom Cauliflower Bun Pesto Stack like me :)