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Hare Krishna Basil Pesto Recipe

Hare Krishna Basil Pesto offered in a stone katori, garnished with fresh basil grown at Goloka Prema Dhama.
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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.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 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

  1. Combine Ingredients: Place all the ingredients into a blender.
  2. Blend Until Smooth: Blend until the pesto is smooth and creamy.
  3. Adjust Consistency: If the pesto is too thick, add a little more olive oil or water to reach the desired consistency.
  4. 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

Find it online: https://harekrishnarecipes.com/recipes/side-items-condiments/hare-krishna-basil-pesto-recipe/