INGREDIENTS:

• 3/4 cup sundried tomatoes
• 1/3 cup cashews
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1/2 cup olive oil or avocado oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Place sundried tomatoes, cashews, and chopped garlic in a food processor.
2. Process the ingredients until they form a coarse paste.
3. With the food processor running, slowly add the olive oil or avocado oil in a slow stream. Continue processing until the mixture is well combined and reaches your desired consistency.
4. Transfer the tomato-cashew mixture to a bowl.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Stir the pesto to ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed.
7. Your sundried tomato and cashew pesto is ready to use! Enjoy it on pasta, sandwiches, pizza, or as a dip.

Allergies:

    Suitable for Soy-Free (SF),

    Gluten-Free (GF),

    Dairy-Free (DF),

    Egg-Free (EF), 

    Vegan (V) diets.

Here are some variations of the recipe:

1. Spicy Sundried Tomato Pesto: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a small chili pepper to the food processor when blending the sundried tomatoes, cashews, and garlic. This will give the pesto a spicy kick.
2. Nut-Free Version: Replace the cashews with pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds for a nut-free version of the pesto.
3. Herb-infused Pesto: Add other fresh herbs such as basil, parsley, or oregano to the food processor along with the sundried tomatoes for a more complex and flavorful pesto.
4. Lemon Zest: Add the zest of one lemon to the pesto for a bright and citrusy flavor.
5. Cheesy Pesto: Mix in grated Parmesan or nutritional yeast for a cheesy and savory twist on the traditional pesto.
6. Creamy Pesto: Blend in some avocado or silken tofu to make the pesto creamier and smoother in texture.
7. Green Veggie Pesto: Blend in some spinach, kale, or arugula with the sundried tomatoes to add extra greens and nutrients to the pesto.
8. Roasted Red Pepper Pesto: Roast some red bell peppers and blend them with the sundried tomatoes for a smoky and sweet roasted red pepper pesto.
9. Olive Pesto: Add some pitted kalamata olives to the mix for a briny and Mediterranean-inspired pesto.
10. Pesto Pasta Sauce: Thin the pesto with a little vegetable broth or pasta cooking water and toss it with cooked pasta for a delicious and flavorful pasta sauce.
11. Sweet and Tangy Pesto: Add a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar or a squeeze of lemon juice to balance the sweetness of the sundried tomatoes and add a tangy twist.
12. Smoky Pesto: Mix in a dash of smoked paprika or a few drops of liquid smoke for a smoky and unique flavor profile.
13. Mediterranean Pesto: Incorporate other Mediterranean ingredients like capers, artichoke hearts, and pine nuts to create a flavorful and hearty pesto.
14. Asian-inspired Pesto: Blend in some ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil to give the pesto an Asian-inspired twist.
15. Herbed Olive Oil: Use an infused olive oil, such as rosemary or garlic-infused olive oil, instead of regular olive oil to add additional layers of flavor.
16. Sun-Dried Tomato Tapenade: Process the sundried tomato pesto until smooth to create a tapenade-like spread for crackers or bread.