Weeknight quickies: Two dishes with vegan pesto

A vegan avocado-basil pesto sauce is used for this pair of simple recipes.

click to enlarge The flavorful, vegan-friendly spread may be used over items like pizza and pasta. - Jon Edwards
Jon Edwards
The flavorful, vegan-friendly spread may be used over items like pizza and pasta.


From Pure Bar snack founder Veronica Bosgraaf comes a recipe for vegan avocado-basil pesto sauce, as well as dish ideas to pour 'n' spread it on.

This Italian paste's main flavors of 'cado and basil pair well with the hints of pine nuts (roast 'em, too, if that's your thing) and garlic weaved throughout. 

Even for the busiest folks, these offerings make quick, easy mains for weeknight dinners. And come on, both feature sun-dried tomatoes.

click to enlarge Weeknight quickies: Two dishes with vegan pesto - Jon Edwards
Jon Edwards
Weeknight quickies: Two dishes with vegan pesto

Avocado-Basil Pesto Pasta

2 cups packed basil leaves
3 cloves garlic
1/3 cup pine nuts, roasting optional
1 cup avocado oil
1 whole avocado
Salt and pepper, to taste
Cooked pasta
1 jar sun-dried tomatoes

Pulse basil, garlic and pine nuts in food processor until chopped, or finely chop the ingredients by hand. Add avocado, and mix in. Slowly add avocado oil and blend until mixture is smooth (pesto consistency).

Add salt and pepper to taste. Toss with your favorite pasta, add sun-dried tomatoes and sprinkle with toasted pine nuts.

click to enlarge Weeknight quickies: Two dishes with vegan pesto - Jon Edwards
Jon Edwards
Weeknight quickies: Two dishes with vegan pesto

Avocado-Basil Pesto Tortilla Pizza
Makes about 10

1 package 5-inch flour tortillas
1 jar pesto (see above recipe)
1 jar sun-dried tomatoes
1 package pine nuts
Olive oil

Spread each tortilla with pesto, top with 3 sun-dried tomatoes and sprinkle with pine nuts.

Bake on a cookie sheet for 10 minutes at 350 degrees or until tortilla is crispy. Drizzle with olive oil before serving.

WE LOVE OUR READERS!

Since 1988, CL Tampa Bay has served as the free, independent voice of Tampa Bay, and we want to keep it that way.

Becoming a CL Tampa Bay Supporter for as little as $5 a month allows us to continue offering readers access to our coverage of local news, food, nightlife, events, and culture with no paywalls.

Join today because you love us, too.

Scroll to read more Food News articles

Join Creative Loafing Tampa Bay Newsletters

Subscribe now to get the latest news delivered right to your inbox.