Pesto is my favorite summer spread. And it does not need to contain dairy to be delicious. Follow this recipe below for a quick and easy dairy-free pesto. The nutritional yeast is in place of cheese, giving it a creamy (and not to mention a nutritional) boost! Pesto is delicious spread on rice crackers, mixed in quinoa or rice, or even on top of tomatoes. Here is a super-easy appetizer in the spirit of summer.

Dairy-free Pesto
3 cups basil leaves
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup pine nuts
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1/4 cup olive oil
Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions
Place basil and garlic in a food processor and blend until finely chopped. Add the remaining ingredients and process until it is a smooth paste.

Pesto Tomato Bites
Pesto from above
Sugar plum tomatoes sliced in half, length-wise
Mozarella cheese or cheese substitute (optional). I used graded goat mozarella.

Instructions
Preheat oven to broil. Place sliced tomatoes cut-side up on a baking sheet. Spread each tomato half with pesto. Top with cheese or cheese substitute (optional). Broil for 3-5 minutes.

Editor’s Note: The information in this article is intended for your educational use only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health practitioners with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before undertaking any diet, supplement, fitness, or other health program.