PESTO GREEN PEA PASTA

Basil, a potent herb rich in antioxidants like flavonoids, polyphenols, & essential oils such as eugenol, exhibit anti-inflammatory & antimicrobial properties that help soothe inflamed skin & combat acne-causing bacteria.

Green peas are a good source of beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A in the body & known for its ability to support skin cell turnover & thereby prevent the accumulation of dead skin cells that clog pores & contribute to acne development.

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE PASTA:

• 2 cups dry gluten-free pasta or legume-based pasta

FOR THE PESTO:

• 2 cups fresh baby spinach, loosely packed

• 1 1/2 cups fresh basil, loosely packed

• 3/4 cup frozen green peas

• 1/3 cup pasta water (reserved from cooking)

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• 1 tbsp nutritional yeast

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 1/2 tsp sea salt

FOR SERVING:

• 1 cup frozen green peas

• 2 cups fresh baby spinach, loosely packed

• 1 tbsp pine nuts

• 1 tsp hemp seeds

DIRECTIONS

Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until almost al dente.

While the pasta is cooking, prepare the pesto as you will need some of the pasta water.

In a blender, combine the fresh spinach, fresh basil, 3/4 cup frozen green peas, pasta water, olive oil, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and sea salt. Blend until smooth and creamy. Set aside.

During the last 2 minutes of the pasta cooking, add the other 3/4 cup of frozen green peas to the pot with the pasta to defrost them. Once the peas are defrosted, drain the pasta and peas together.

Return the drained pasta and peas to the pot over low heat. Add 1 cup of fresh spinach to the pot and gently stir until the spinach wilts down. The residual heat from the pasta will wilt the spinach.

Pour the prepared pesto over the pasta, peas, and wilted spinach and mix everything together well, ensuring the pasta is coated evenly with the pesto. Salt to taste.

Divide the Pesto Pea Pasta into serving bowls and garnish each bowl with a sprinkle of pine nuts and hemp seeds.

There's nothing more satisfying than a bowl of creamy pasta and The addition of pine nuts & hemp seeds for garnish provides a nice crunch with an added nutritional boost.