Vegan & Nut-Free Kale Pesto

Pesto is one of my all time favorite sauces. There are times I could skip using it as a sauce and simply eat it with my fork alone. Because traditional pesto sauce contains parmesan and either pine or walnuts, many people with specific dietary preferences and food allergies do not get to enjoy the green goodness. I have created a pesto that is vegan and nut-free, and has an extra nutritional punch with kale. Use it over pastas, veggies, potatoes, as a spread on sandwiches, and more! 

Vegan & Nut-Free Kale Pesto

• 2 cups Kale, stems removed
  
• 1 cup basil
  
• 1/3 cup sunflower seeds
  
• 1 Tablespoon hemp hearts
  
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled
  
• 2 Tablespoons nutritional yeast
  
• 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  
• salt & pepper to taste

1. Place kale, basil, and sunflower seeds into a food processor and pulse a few times. Scrape down sides of bowl.
2. Add in hemp hearts, garlic, nutritional yeast, and lemon juice and pulse several more times. Scrape down sides of bowl.
3. Turn food processor on again and slowly add the olive oil and a steady stream. Once added and well combined, add salt and pepper to taste.