Hare Krishna Basil Pesto is a vibrant and flavorful sauce inspired by the principles of bhakti yoga. This pesto, made with fresh basil and almonds, is a delicious addition to your pasta dishes, sandwiches, and more.
Prepared with love and devotion, it embodies the essence of bhakti, transforming simple ingredients into a divine offering.
Serving Suggestions
Hare Krishna Basil Pesto pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes. Here are some popular suggestions:
- Pasta: Toss the pesto with al dente pasta for a quick and flavorful meal.
- Sandwiches: Spread the pesto on sandwiches or wraps to enhance the overall taste.
- Grilled Vegetables: Drizzle the pesto over grilled vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant for a delightful taste.
- Salad Dressing: Thin the pesto with a little water or olive oil to use as a flavorful salad dressing.
These combinations make for a balanced and satisfying meal, fostering a sense of community and togetherness when shared with fellow devotees.
History
Hare Krishna Basil Pesto was created one evening when Chandra-Vadana Chaitanya das found himself with an abundance of fresh organic basil that needed to be used. Experimenting in the kitchen, he crafted this delicious pesto, which quickly became a favorite among the devotees. Its fresh and vibrant flavors have made it a staple in many Hare Krishna kitchens.
Bhakti Thought
Hare Krishna Basil Pesto is more than just a sauce; it is an expression of creativity, resourcefulness, and devotion. By preparing and offering this pesto to Krishna, we engage in the sacred practice of bhakti, transforming the act of cooking into a spiritual journey. This pesto serves as a reminder that even the simplest of ingredients, when combined with devotion and care, can create something extraordinary. Let this pesto inspire you to cook with a heart full of love and to see each meal as an offering to Krishna, bringing us closer to Him with every bite.
PrintHare Krishna Basil Pesto Recipe
Hare Krishna Basil Pesto is a delightful and flavorful addition to your meals, inspired by the principles of bhakti yoga. This rich pesto combines wholesome ingredients, creating a harmonious blend that enhances any dish. In the tradition of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, cooking and offering food to Krishna is an act of love and devotion, known as bhakti. Each dish is prepared with care, mindfulness, and a pure heart, making it not just a meal but a spiritual offering.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Blend
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup almonds
- ¾ teaspoon hing (asafoetida)
- 3 cups fresh basil
- 2 – 3 sun-dried tomatoes (optional)
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Place all the ingredients into a blender.
- Blend Until Smooth: Blend until the pesto is smooth and creamy.
- Adjust Consistency: If the pesto is too thick, add a little more olive oil or water to reach the desired consistency.
- Serve: Transfer to a serving bowl or bottle and enjoy.
Notes
- Almond Substitute: Most basil pesto recipes use pine nuts. These are expensive and often cost-prohibitive, so almonds are used as a substitute. They are still very tasty.
- Cheese Consideration: Traditional pesto uses freshly grated parmesan cheese, which often contains animal rennet, making it non-vegetarian and not suitable for prasadatarians. You can find rennet-free cheese replacements if desired. If using rennet-free hard cheese, replace the ¼ cup of nutritional yeast with ½ cup of grated cheese.
- Flavor Enhancements: Add an extra layer of complexity by including 2 – 3 sun-dried tomatoes or 2 teaspoons of lemon juice.
- Freshness Tip: This recipe was created to use up fresh basil before it went bad, emphasizing the importance of minimizing waste and using fresh ingredients.
- Quick Meal Tip: Use this pesto sauce with al dente pasta, like bow tie pasta, for a quick and delicious meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Tbsp
- Calories: 85 calories
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg