Imagine a pesto so vibrant, so unexpectedly delicious, that it will make your taste buds dance with joy! This Sunflower Seed Spinach Pesto isn't just another condiment – it's a culinary adventure that transforms ordinary grilled bread and vegetables into an extraordinary dining experience. Packed with nutrient-rich spinach, toasty sunflower seeds, and a punch of nutritional yeast, this recipe is about to become your new obsession, whether you're a seasoned chef or a curious home cook looking to elevate your meal prep.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 2 cloves garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Grilled bread or vegetables for serving
Instructions
- Toast the sunflower seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly until they are golden brown and fragrant. This will enhance their nutty flavor and release their natural oils.
- Wash the fresh spinach leaves thoroughly and pat them dry using a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Peel and roughly chop the garlic cloves to prepare them for blending.
- In a food processor, combine the toasted sunflower seeds, fresh spinach, garlic, nutritional yeast, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Pulse the mixture until it reaches a smooth, creamy consistency, scraping down the sides of the processor as needed.
- Taste the pesto and adjust seasoning by adding more salt, pepper, or nutritional yeast to suit your preference.
- If the pesto seems too thick, gradually add a little more olive oil and blend until you achieve the desired spreadable consistency.
- Prepare your grill or grill pan by preheating it to medium-high heat. Brush bread slices or vegetables with olive oil for grilling.
- Grill the bread or vegetables for 2-3 minutes on each side until they have nice grill marks and are lightly charred.
- Remove the grilled items from the heat and spread the sunflower seed spinach pesto generously on top.
- Serve immediately while the grilled items are still warm, garnishing with additional toasted sunflower seeds if desired.
Tips
- • Always toast your sunflower seeds first – this crucial step intensifies their nutty flavor and adds depth to your pesto • Pat spinach leaves completely dry to prevent a watery consistency • Use a food processor for the smoothest texture, pulsing in short bursts • Taste and adjust seasonings gradually – you can always add more, but you can't take away • For a smoother pesto, drizzle olive oil slowly while blending • Grill bread or vegetables just before serving to ensure maximum warmth and texture • Store any leftover pesto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days • For extra richness, consider adding a small splash of lemon juice to brighten the flavors
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 180kcal
Carbohydrates: 6g
Protein: 7g
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
