The only thing I needed to do was to substitute the pine nuts. They are more than $22 a pound here lately, so I've used cashews instead. I read that you can also use almonds and maybe even walnuts.
Pesto Sauce
1 1/2 cups fresh basil leaves
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 cup pine nuts (can use other nuts)
5 whole cloves garlic
1/3 cup nutritional yeast
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon whole black peppercorns (or to taste)
In Vitamix: put all ingredients (except salt and pepper) in container and blend on low turning dial up to a "7" while using the tamper to get all the leaves into the blades. Stop when everything is still a little chunky, but blended well. Season to taste.
In food processor: process everything using the pulse setting, following all other instructions above.
Sun-dried tomato option: add 1/2 cup rehydrated sun-dried tomatoes to the ingredients.
Other herb/green options: Can use cilantro or parsley for part of the basil in this recipe. Can also use spinach or kale the same way. Great for stretching a small amount of basil for this recipe...still great flavor.
