Roasted Broccoli with Hemp Pesto
- MEAL:
- Side dish
- BENEFITS:
- Functional Tea, Gluten free, Gut health, Vegan-friendly
- DURATION:
- 20-30 min
When & How
This side goes well with everything! Below are some of my favorite lunch and dinner combos.
Lunch: with pan-seared chicken cubes in olive oil and fresh lemon juice & quinoa
Dinner: whole-wheat or buckwheat pasta
Ingredients
(2 servings)
1 whole broccoli
50g fresh basil
1 ½ tbsp of hemp seeds
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
3 tbsp EVOO
2-3 tbsp water (to adjust texture)
2 tbsp nutritional yeast (optional, but it adds that yummy cheesy flavor and many B vitamins – including vitamin B12!)
Salt & pepper, to taste
Chili flakes (optional)
Method
- Preheat oven to 400F (200C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper
- Cut broccoli florets into bite-sized pieces. Place broccoli florets on the baking sheet. Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread evenly on the baking sheet. Roast for approximately 15-20 minutes.
- For the dressing, place basil, hemp seeds, lemon juice, olive oil, and (optional) nutritional yeast in a blender. Add water to adjust consistency. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Once cooked, toss broccoli with hemp pesto (see “When & How” to find out the perfect functional combo).
Tips
- Broccoli should be well-done. Broccoli naturally contains goitrogens, substances that interfere with thyroid function and metabolism. But don’t worry, cooking destroys these substances!
Benefits
BROCCOLI
Rich in vitamin C, a potent antioxidant and an immunity vitamin.
HEMP SEEDS
A good source of plant omega-3, omega-6, and proteins.
BASIL
It’s an adaptogen and so helps regulate the body’s response to stress. This plant has relaxing properties and helps with water retention.
