Lemony Basil Pesto Made with Broccoli Sprouts
This vibrant, nutrient-packed pesto combines the bright flavors of fresh basil and lemon with the superfood power of broccoli sprouts, creating a delicious and versatile sauce that's perfect for pasta, sandwiches, and more. This recipe makes 1 cup of pesto.
Equipment
- 1 Food Processor
Ingredients
- 2 pieces fresh garlic cloves or 3 roasted garlic cloves
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 2 cups broccoli sprouts
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoon lemon-infused olive oil
- ¼ cup pine nuts
- ¼ cup shaved Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon sumac
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- If using roasted garlic, prepare it in advance by cutting the top off a head of garlic, drizzling with olive oil, and wrapping in parchment paper first, then foil. Roast at 400°F for 30-40 minutes until tender and golden. Let cool, then squeeze out the cloves.
- In a food processor, pulse the garlic (roasted or fresh) until finely minced.
- Add the fresh basil and broccoli sprouts to the food processor. Pulse until the greens are finely chopped.
- With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil and lemon-infused olive oil through the feed tube. Process until the mixture becomes a smooth paste.
- Add the pine nuts, shaved Parmesan cheese, sumac, and salt to the food processor. Pulse a few times until the nuts are chopped and all ingredients are well combined.
- Taste the pesto and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more salt, sumac, or lemon-infused olive oil to suit your preferences.
- Transfer the pesto to a jar or airtight container. If not using immediately, pour a thin layer of olive oil over the surface to prevent browning.
Notes
- Using pine nuts and Parmesan contributes most of the fat and protein.
- Nutrition may vary slightly depending on the exact size of basil leaves, broccoli sprouts, and whether garlic is roasted.
- For a lower-fat version, reduce olive oil slightly or swap part of it for water or lemon juice.
- Store the pesto in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days, or freeze in a freezer bag or ice cube trays for easy portioning and longer storage.