Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Pesto (Vegan-Optional)
This is originally mentioned in THIS Instagram Post.
Ingredients
16 oz (1 container) silken tofu
1 clove garlic
60g sun-dried tomatoes, dry or marinated in olive oil
30g olive oil, preferably from sun-dried tomatoes tomatoes
50g pine nuts
10g vinegar of choice OR lemon juice
20g nutritional yeast OR grated pecorino romano OR parmesan of choice
1/4 tsp salt or to taste
fresh pepper to taste
pasta or noodles of choice
Directions
Add all ingredients except the salt to a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. A blender will yield a silkier texture, but a food processor will work too.
Add salt to taste, then blend thoroughly again to make sure it is evenly dispersed.
Cook your pasta or noodles in well-salted water until al dente. Reserve some pasta water, then toss the hot noodles with the creamy sauce. Add a splash of pasta water as needed to help it coat every noodle.
Additional add-ins I like include:
Cherry tomatoes—they taste fresher and brighter than the sun-dried tomato sauce
Bacon—an elite combination
Olives
Green onion
Fresh mozzarella
FAQ:
Q: How long will this sauce keep for?
A: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Stir before using since the sauce will lightly separate.
Q: Why does the sauce taste flat?
A: Because ingredient intensity and saltiness can vary, try adding:
More salt
More vinegar or lemon juice
More nutritional yeast or cheese.
Q: What pasta works best?
A: Honestly, rigatoni, fusilli, or cavatelli would work great because they catch the thick sauce. I just prefer an angel hair or regular noodles despite them not being the best choices logically. :)
Q: Is this sauce vegan?
A: Yes! If you use nutritional yeast rather than pecorino or Parmesan and pair it with a vegan pasta.
Q: Can you taste the tofu?
A: Not really! Silken tofu gives the sauce its creamy texture, but sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, pine nuts, vinegar, and nutritional yeast are the dominant flavors. Long story short: no.
Q: Can I make this without pine nuts?
A: Yes! Substitute cashews, walnuts, almonds, or sunflower seeds. I recommend cashews for the closest texture.
Q: What [tool] did you use?
Everything I used in this video is here (Shop My)
