A flavorful lemon hemp seed pesto full of greens, protein and a hint of lemon. Creamy and filling, toss with your favorite pasta or salad for a delicious, healthy and super easy meal!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Manitoba Harvest. The opinions and text are all mine.
As if it isn’t obvious already, our family loves pasta. Creating pasta sauces and dishes is my happy place, and this one is no exception. Although I have created a few pestos already, in our house, one can never have too many pestos so may as well make another!
Hemp Hearts hemp seeds by Manitoba Harvest have been our latest obsession. I absolutely love them, as can be seen by my most recent creation Cauliflower Hemp Burgers. They were such a hit in our family, that I wanted to make something else using hemp seeds, so pesto it was! And what perfect timing as this is Hemp History Week!! Hemp seeds are a great source of protein (among other things) and I love using them. Especially when they are mixed with veggies or greens, making them a one sauce kind of meal. What is better than that?! My boys love pesto so much they eat it with their hands straight out of the bowl. It’s so incredibly messy, but I try my hardest to put my Type A personality aside and let them go to town. I can’t really complain when they are stuffing their face with truckloads of goodness. And if I can time it for when I have plans and am off duty, even better!
Hemp seeds are used in this pesto as the main source of heartiness, leaving it with an almost creamy consistency. I combined them with both spinach and basil for added goodness and threw in a splash of lemon to give it a tart little twist. It worked fabulous and we now have a new favorite pesto! My favorite part is how easy this is to make, my three year old can even do it! Seriously…I prepped it and he put it all in the food processor and mixed until ready! I’m thinking I need a new category on my blog, “So easy your 3 year old can do it!” Lol! We made a giant batch and froze some for another day, perfection.
In honor of my love of hemp seeds and Hemp History Week, I have teamed up with Manitoba Harvest to giveaway a bag of Hemp Hearts hemp seeds! How cool is that?! In order to enter, you need to go to my Facebook Page and click on the blue “Giveaway” box.
From there you will see how to enter. Let me know if you get confused or have any questions! Good luck!
- 1 cup baby spinach
- 2 cups fresh basil
- 1 cup hemp seeds
- Himalayan pink salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon crushed garlic
- juice of 1 small lemon
- Your favorite oil for using in sauces to taste optional
- ¼ - ½ cup water or veggie broth to bring to desired consistency
- Place all ingredients in a food processor, blender or high speed blender and blend until well mixed, adding water or veggie broth to bring the pesto to desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasonings to desired taste.
- The lemon gives this pesto a tangy taste, so if you prefer less tang, cut the lemon down.
- I like to double or triple the recipe and store in the freezer for quick meals. If using oil, you will need just a splash if using a pure high quality oil because the taste is much more flavorful, so even though you may pay more, less is more when using it and in the end you won't be buying as much.
UPDATE: I made this recipe again with an added layer of flavor. One of my best friends, and godmother to my youngest son, is part of the Round Pond Estate family and we are lucky enough to have tasted many of their amazing products.
One of which is the meyer lemon olive oil. This olive oil goes wonderfully in this recipe! If you ever have a chance to try it out, do! The same goes for all of their phenomenal products: wines, olive oils, vinegars and citrus syrups.
The Round Pond estate is a beautiful property in Napa, California with gorgeous views and gardens. Their wine and olive oil tastings are awesome. I feel blessed to have had many visits there and I always look forward to our next one!
Emily Kemp says
I love finding new pesto recipes, this one looks SO delicious can’t wait to try it!
Kaitlyn says
This pasta looks and sounds delicious! Pesto is one of my favorite foods! I bet the hemp seeds add the perfect amount of crunch.
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you so much!! The hemp seeds are so great in pesto!
pbandvegan says
Ha ha, I lied. Parsley tastes like grass. Hemp seeds taste like dead fish!! I took Somer’s advice and started stirring them into smoothies instead of blending and I like them better like that. I’m a work in progress 🙂
veggiesdontbite says
I top my smoothie bowls with them so it’s a stirred effect. I like the texture that way! Keep at it, I’m sure they’ll grow on you 😉
pbandvegan says
I’m trying to love hemp seeds. I still think they taste like grass!! I’ll try this recipe to see if my love for them blossoms 🙂
veggiesdontbite says
Lol! I love the flavor, but mostly eat them mixed with things…I don’t think you can taste them in the pesto, but maybe start with a little less and see?? Also, have you tried them in smoothies? The sweet of the smoothie definitely covers up the hemp seed taste! And if you add some peanut butter to your smoothie, even better.
Kibby@Kibby's Blended Life says
I ADORE hemp seeds – especially Manitoba Harvest – and have been using them for years. I like them on salads, making hemp milk, sauces, dressings and will definitely be making this lovely lemon hemp seed pesto – thanks for the recipe. Love your site.
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you! Aren’t hemp hearts great?! I love them in all those ways too. You should also check out my hemp seed burger!
Dandi D says
I’ve never tried hemp seeds before, but I’d really love to!
veggiesdontbite says
Oh they are great!! Definitely give them a try! We put them on so much. Take a look at this post for ideas! http://veggiesdontbite.com/2014/03/01/bite-of-the-month-hemp-seeds/
Suzanne@FrugalOrganicMama says
I’ve never tried cooking with hemp seeds before, I may have to give it a try. We do love pesto. Thanks for the recipe!
veggiesdontbite says
You’re welcome Suzanne! Hemp seeds are awesome. We put them in so much!! And a great way to get protein in, which you may need ideas for. Lol!
Sophia | Love and Lentils says
Great looking recipe, Sophia! I also love hemp seeds so much – and it’s a really easy ingredient to toss into pasta dishes, my son loves our hemp pesto as well. 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway!
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you!! Don’t you love how versatile they are?? Such an easy way to get that extra protein in.
Arturo Féliz-Camilo says
Pics are beautiful! Always love to find blogs with great pics! We added you to our blog friends list and will share your recipes (with credit and links) through our networks! 🙂
veggiesdontbite says
Great! Thank you so much!
Arturo Féliz-Camilo says
🙂
Leslie Cottrell Simonds says
I agree about quinoa pasta. I think it has the best consistency. I use hemp seeds in smoothies and can’t wait to make this yummy sounding recipe. My true love DESPISES spinach in any form….though he did love the vegan “mint” choc chip cream I made him……so pestos are a great way to incorporate more spinach into his diet. I usually do 1/2 spinach and 1/2 basil. Off to the kitchen I go!
veggiesdontbite says
Awesome! Yes, pestos are a great way to add greens!
Agnetha Foong says
I like to make granola with hemp seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds and oats!
veggiesdontbite says
Yum! That sounds delicious!
Shirley says
Great way to incorporate hemp seeds! Thanks for sharing!
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you! You are so welcome, thanks for being here!
crafty one says
I have never tried hemp seeds before and would like this opportunity to try. I like adding healthier options to my food.
veggiesdontbite says
Awesome!! Hemp seeds are great and a little goes a long way with all the nutrients they have. I use them for so much! Check this post out for more ideas http://veggiesdontbite.com/2014/03/01/bite-of-the-month-hemp-seeds/
Heather says
Looks delicious! Are the noodles gluten free? If so, what brand are they? Looking for a good recommendation for gluten free pasta.
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you Heather! They are gluten free. I use a few different gluten free ones I love. The quinoa pasta and the bean noodles are my favorites, I love the Ming bean fettuccini! I have a link to them both on this page, check them out! http://veggiesdontbite.com/look-inside-my-kitchen/
theopaquepenguin says
Reblogged this on A Cynical Elegance and commented:
I’ve been itching to try pesto for the longest time. Must buy the ingredients for this delicious meal!
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you so much!! Let me know if you try!
Jo from yummyvege says
I haven’t had the chance to experiment with hemp seeds yet but as I love pesto this could be a great opportunity!
veggiesdontbite says
Definitely try them out! They are so versatile and good for you. We put them on everything! Check out this old post on all the uses: http://veggiesdontbite.com/2014/03/01/bite-of-the-month-hemp-seeds/
jennellejones says
Wow, this pesto looks amazing! can’t wait to try it!
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you! Let me know if you do!
vscola says
Hi there Sorry I tried your link but not sure how to!
veggiesdontbite says
Hi! If you click on the link that says “my Facebook Page” you will be brought to the Veggies Don’t Bite page on Facebook (you need to have a Facebook account), you may need to log in if you aren’t logged in already. Once on my page, find that blue “Giveaway” box like I show in the picture and click on it. It will bring you to a page where you can enter in multiple ways. Let me know if you have any other questions! At this time the only way to enter is with a Facebook account, my website server does not allow me to upload the entry link to my blog, bummer but hope they change that soon. Good luck!
Dina says
I can’t wait to try it as I love pesto.
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you! You’ll love it!
alifemoment says
This pasta looks delicious! 🙂
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you!! It’s pretty yummy and easy to make!
alifemoment says
I am sure it is! 🙂