The food you put into your body has a big hand in creating the energy around you. So be proud of what you are eating and lets make it fun. That’s why for this recipe I have injected as much color as I can into this super simple vegan beet pesto recipe. The hot pink color and fresh green basil is enough to get me out of my chair and skipping around the city. Yes, I am dramatic about most things and that includes my pasta game. There are only TWO STEPS in creating this show stopping pasta dish.
8 Simple Ingredients
- Roasted Beet– Now I know what you are thinking “I’m not a fan of beets.” Honestly, think pesto will change your mind. I can tell you how many people I serve my beets too and change their mind. Not to mention, they are so good for you body- promote cell growth, high in nitrates, great for you heart, and blood pressure.
- Fresh Basil– This is going to transform your entire kitchen into an aroma of an Italian bistro.
- Olive Oil– I recommend a Mediterranean olive oil but anything will work.
- Nutritional Yeast– Non vegan pesto contains a healthy amount of parmesan cheese. I substitute for nutritional yeast, which is one of my all time favorite ingredients. These gold flakes are cheesy and nutty and so good for you. One of my STAPLE pantry items.
- Pine Nuts– You can use any nut, but pine nuts are going to give your pesto the creaminess that it is craving. My next choice is pistachio, also a solid choice.
- Black Pepper– I am a fan of cracking my own pepper fresh.
- Salt– Can never go wrong with a good sea salt.
- Fresh Garlic– I quoted 5 garlic cloves, but I will absolutely never judge you if you add more garlic. Garlic is the secret to life.
Still Not Convinced About Beets?
Okay okay okay, I get it… you want to hate beets. Let’s remember that our taste buds are constantly changing and need to be reacquainted. There was once a time I hated tomatoes and beans… let that sink in. I will go to grave preaching how amazing beets are ESPECIALLY paired with these ingredients. My other favorite beet recipes are my French Beet Tartare and beet hummus (recipe pending). Let me present a solid case on behalf of the beets…
- Vibrant COLOR– Your food should be beautiful, just like you. So this is my favorite reason for using beets, they truly just make me smile when I look at my hot pink plant dish.
- High in nitrates and promote cognition– Basically… they will make your brain happy.
- Great for your heart and blood pressure- So many veggies promote great heart health and we love to see it.
- Promote and protect cell growth– Many diseases can be linked and improved with diet changes. It all starts with what you are putting into your body.
“Color directly influences the soul. Color is the keyboard, the eyes are the hammers, the soul is the piano with many strings. The artist is the hand that plays, touching one key or another purposively, to cause vibrations in the soul.”
Wassily Kandinsky
