Lime-Basil Pesto

Lime-Basil Pesto is a nutrient-dense condiment which has a strong history in ancient traditional medicines.Nowadays it is prominently featured in Italian cuisine and Southeast Asian dishes like Thai and Vietnamese. Lime-Basil is a hardy herb that grows in most climates, so it is relatively easy to grow in an herb garden. Holy basil, Thai basil or regular sweet basil will all work just fine! You can also mix it up and use different varieties of mint, or peppery greens like arugula. Ideally, we add these herbs to dishes to enjoy a punch of amazing flavor and the phytonutrients!

Featured Ingredients

The numerous health benefits attributed to basil are credited to the diverse array of phytonutrients and volatile oils found within it. Some of the health benefits associated with different varieties of basil include a role in maintaining dental health, benefits to cardiovascular health, antidepressant-like effects, and anti-cancer effects to name a few.

Garlic is the top food source of thiosulfinates, which are sulfur-containing compounds responsible for diverse health benefits including powerful anticancer properties as well as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-thrombotic effects.

Olive oil is consistently linked with health benefits, including reducing cardiovascular disease risk (both heart disease and stroke), Alzheimer’s risk, and cancer risk, improving blood sugar regulation and insulin sensitivity, reducing likelihood of weight gain (and maybe even aid in weight loss), reducing joint pain and swelling in rheumatoid arthritis, and generally reduce markers of inflammation.

Basil Nutrients

Garlic Nutrients

Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Nutrients

Lime-Basil Pesto

Nutrivore Score: 279

Prep Time 6 minutes minutes

Cook Time 14 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 12

Calories 94kcal

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Ingredients

• 4 cloves garlic
• 2 cups basil lime, lemon, sweet, holy, or thai
• 1/4 cups pine nuts
• 7 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

• Heat a well-seasoned cast iron skillet over medium heat.  Add garlic still in the peel to the pan.  Stir or shake the pan frequently so the garlic rotates and cooks on all side.  Cook until garlic is starting to brown and is feeling fairly soft to touch, about 7-8 minutes.
• Remove the garlic from the pan and add the pine nuts.  Again, stir or shake the pan frequently so the pine nuts toast on all sides.  Cook until starting to brown and become fragrant, about 5-6 minutes.
• Remove the pine nuts from the pan and let cool.  Peel the now cooled garlic. Place in a blender or food processor with the other ingredients.  Pulse until it’s a paste.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Lime-Basil Pesto

Amount per Serving

Calories

94

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

10

g

15

%

Saturated Fat

 

1

g

6

%

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

2

g

Monounsaturated Fat

 

6

g

Sodium

 

49

mg

2

%

Potassium

 

33

mg

1

%

Carbohydrates

 

1

g

0

%

Fiber

 

0.2

g

1

%

Sugar

 

0.1

g

0

%

Protein

 

1

g

2

%

Vitamin A

 

212

IU

4

%

Vitamin C

 

1

mg

1

%

Calcium

 

9

mg

1

%

Iron

 

0.3

mg

2

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Notes

Autoimmune protocol variation:  The only part of this recipe that isn’t AIP-friendly is the pine nuts in the pesto.  Simply omit the pine nuts and reduce the olive oil to 6 Tbsp instead.