A Scrumptious Healthy Pesto Recipe

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtetGnsF3MQ48hzWCrG6R5RUb8m7p-CUoPgfRjls4DX27M75JAYh1iX8bNGkcHzSL10vYtncQEX4gpMzOlvbysTnUFwvN5omLPLUk6ukGvmRpksdjrJBo7Dtej5GRp95-DfMqNtYeHPDjZ/s1600/pesto.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Healthy pesto pasta with a scooping utensil." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtetGnsF3MQ48hzWCrG6R5RUb8m7p-CUoPgfRjls4DX27M75JAYh1iX8bNGkcHzSL10vYtncQEX4gpMzOlvbysTnUFwvN5omLPLUk6ukGvmRpksdjrJBo7Dtej5GRp95-DfMqNtYeHPDjZ/s1600/pesto.png" title="A Scrumptious Healthy Pesto Recipe" /></a></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Who doesn’t love some healthy pesto pizazz in their life? Healthy pesto meals are the perfect way to transition into summer. Besides that it is super scrumptious, pesto is easy to make! You can make a big batch and then freeze the extras for another meal or two. </span></span></div> <b id="docs-internal-guid-16cc5405-b90b-cbfd-cf11-5dbc54e7bfab" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Healthy Pesto</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 cups packed fresh basil leaves</span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">¼ cup toasted pine nuts or walnuts or cashews or almonds (so many options!)</span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">¼ cup grated parmesan cheese</span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil</span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 garlic cloves</span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">½ teaspoon salt</span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">½ teaspoon ground pepper</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Put all the dry ingredients in a food processor, and then pulse a few times. Add the oil and then process until the pesto is smooth, or to the consistency you desire. Taste it just to make sure, you can add extra of any of the ingredients to make it taste just right.</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, what do you eat healthy pesto with? I think the better question is what </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">don’t </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">you eat pesto with. ;)</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are my favorite ways to enjoy healthy pesto:</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Sandwiches</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Healthy pesto is a healthy alternative to mayo. Just spread the pesto on the bread or wrap, and add all your favorite sandwich ingredients. Try a whole wheat wrap with pesto, turkey, spinach leaves, and tomato for a really tasty lunch!</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Pastas</b></span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Instead of a heavy white sauce, use pesto with your pasta. Healthy pesto tastes delicious when paired with </span><a href="http://www.afitnurse.com/2014/12/pasta-alternatives-for-delicious.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">pasta alternatives</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, too. Pair the pesto pasta with a </span><a href="http://www.afitnurse.com/2014/08/red-cabbage-blueberry-and-chickpea.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">red cabbage, blueberry, and chickpea salad with tahini maple dressing</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and you’ve got yourself a meal fit for the patio.  </span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Chicken</b></span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Brush the healthy pesto over raw chicken breasts, and then bake the chicken as usual. Sprinkle some fresh parmesan cheese over the pesto chicken breasts for the last 3 minutes of baking. This is a great dish to serve with grilled veggies and a glass of white wine, or grape juice for the kids.</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Pizza</b></span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can make low-calorie pesto pizzas pretty easily. Grab some mini whole wheat tortillas and spread pesto on them. Put some fresh slices of tomato and grated parmesan cheese over the pesto and bake until the tortillas are crispy and the cheese is melted. Kids love helping out with these pizzas, so it’s a great family activity.</span></span></div> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What are your favorite ways to incorporate healthy pesto into your meals? I’d love to hear them! Write a comment below, or post to </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Afitnurse" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">my Facebook page</span></a><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> with your ideas!  </span></span>

chicken, fitness, health, healthy dinner, healthy pesto, healthy recipe, nutrition, pasta, pesto recipe, pizza, recipe, Summer

A Scrumptious Healthy Pesto Recipe

Who doesn’t love some healthy pesto pizazz in their life? Healthy pesto meals are the perfect way to transition into summer. Besides th...