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Delightful Crunchy Sunflower Seed Pesto Recipe



Looking for a delicious way to use your yummy fresh garden basil  but almost had a heart attack when you saw the cost of pine nuts for the pesto recipe?   Subbing home-toasted sunflower seeds will give you a very tasty crunchy pesto for a fraction of the cost of pine nuts! 

Ingredients
      • 1 C. raw, organic, shelled Sunflower seeds
      • 1 tsp. Celtic Sea Salt
      • 3 - 4 Garlic cloves
      • 2+ tsp. fresh-squeezed Lemon Juice
      • 4 C. lightly-packed Basil leaves
      • 1/2 C. extra virgin Olive oil
      Method
      1. In a skillet over medium heat, combine Seeds and Salt, and stirring throughout, toast until most seeds are golden (careful not to burn!).  Remove from heat and cool. Alternatively, toast seeds in your toaster oven at 300-325 degrees for 5-15 minutes. Watch carefully not to burn. Cool.
      2. Combine all ingredients --except olive oil-- in a food processor.
      3. Process while drizzling olive oil through the top opening.
      4. Store in a mason jar in the fridge.  Makes about 2 C. Delicious on pasta, pizza, crackers, brioche, toast, or as the crunchy crust on a  cheese ball.


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