Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

This flavorful pesto makes a great addition to your holiday repertoire. Serve it with crackers alongside cured meat, cheese, olives, roasted red peppers, and your favorite veggie dippers for an easy, elegant appetizer tray. It is also delicious with goat cheese, as a topper for bruschetta, stirred into your favorite pasta or gnocchi, spread on a sandwich, or used to top baked fish, chicken, or tofu. Make it several days ahead and store in the refrigerator in an air-tight container.

~1 cup
1 teaspoon Natural Grocers® Brand Bulk Real Salt
1 cup Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Organic Sun-Dried Tomatoes
1 package fresh organic basil, (2.3-ounce package)
1⁄4 cup Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Organic Walnut Halves and Pieces
2 organic garlic cloves, roughly chopped
1 tablespoon Natural Grocers Brand Organic Balsamic Vinegar
1⁄4 cup Natural Grocers Brand Organic Parmesan Cheese Shreds, (optional; omit for dairy-free, vegan, or paleo versions)
1⁄4 cup + 2 tablespoons Natural Grocers Brand Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Real Salt and Organic Ground Black Pepper, to taste

1. Combine 2 cups of water, salt, and tomatoes in a small saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve the salt. Once boiling, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside for 3-5 minutes.

2. While the tomatoes rehydrate, prep the garlic and remove large stems from the basil.

3. Pulse the basil in a food processor until chopped. Use a fork to lift the tomatoes out of the water and into the food processor, reserving the water. Add all the remaining ingredients except olive oil and process, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed, until combined but still a little chunky. With the processor running, slowly add the olive oil and two tablespoons of the tomato water. Process until combined but not completely smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed.

4. For a thinner pesto or to make a sauce, add additional tomato water until desired consistency is reached. Taste and season with salt and pepper as desired.

per one serving (2 tablespoons, no cheese)

Calories Carbohydrates Protein Fat Fiber
116 kcal 4 g 1 g 11 g 1 g

Recommended Beverage: Wine

Recommended Style: Pinot Grigio

Recommended Brand: Bellisima Pinot Grigio