Total Time
50 min
Couisine
Category
Comfort Food
Diet
vegangluten-free
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
30 min
Rest Time
Dish
Main course
Link
Servings
4
Calories
~350 kcal
Garden Plants
BasilBasil thaiGreen beanBlack pepper
posted by
Deana
Ingredients
Name | Amount | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Almond Milk (Creamy Basil Pesto) | 1 | splash | |
Basil (Creamy Basil Pesto) | 6 | sprigs | fresh (leaves only) |
Black Pepper (Crispy Tofu) | 0.5 | teaspoon | |
Cashews (Creamy Basil Pesto) | 0.3 | cup | or more |
Cherry Tomatos (Vegetables) | 0.5 | cup | halved |
Garlic Powder (Creamy Basil Pesto) | 1 | tablespoon | |
Garlic Powder (Crispy Tofu) | 1 | teaspoon | |
Garlic Powder (Vegetables) | to taste | ||
Green Beans (Vegetables) | 1 | cup | cut and steamed |
Juice of Lime or Lemon (Creamy Basil Pesto) | 1 | splash | to taste |
Nutritional Yeast (Crispy Tofu) | 3 | tablespoon | |
Olive Oil (Creamy Basil Pesto) | 1 | tablespoon | or Avocado Oil |
Olive Oil (Crispy Tofu) | 3 | tablespoon | |
Onion Powder (Crispy Tofu) | 1 | teaspoon | |
Onion Powder (Vegetables) | to taste | ||
Paprika Powder (Crispy Tofu) | 0.5 | teaspoon | |
Pepper (Vegetables) | to taste | ||
Salt (Creamy Basil Pesto) | 0.5 | teaspoon | |
Salt (Crispy Tofu) | 1 | teaspoon | |
Salt (Vegetables) | to taste | ||
Silken Tofu (Creamy Basil Pesto) | 5 | oz | about half a block |
Tofu (Crispy Tofu) | 1 | block | extra firm (14-18 oz) |
Description
A creamy, herb-packed twist on classic pesto, this dish features silken tofu, cashews, and fresh basil blended into a vibrant sauce. Tossed with green beans, cherry tomatoes, and topped with crispy baked tofu nuggets, it's a protein-rich and satisfying farm-to-table favorite.
Instructions
Crispy Tofu Nuggets:
- Press tofu if needed and cut into cubes. (Optional: Freeze and thaw tofu first for firmer texture.)
- Mix olive oil, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Toss tofu cubes in mixture until evenly coated.
- Bake at 425°F / 218°C for 15 minutes, flip, then bake another 15 minutes until crispy.
Creamy Basil Pesto Base:
- Blend basil leaves, silken tofu, cashews, garlic, oil, salt, almond milk and lemon juice until smooth. Adjust thickness with more almond milk if needed.
Vegetables & Assembly:
- Steam green beans and season with onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Slice cherry tomatoes.
- Mix pesto with green beans and cherry tomatoes. Top with crispy tofu nuggets and serve warm or chilled.
Notes:
Serve warm as a main course or chilled as a hearty salad. Pairs well with noodles, crusty bread or quinoa.
Nutrition per Serving
Name | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbohydrates | Fiber | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Creamy Basil Pesto with Tofu | ~350 kcal | ~16 g | ~24 g | ~20 g | ~4 g |