This Sun Dried Tomato Arugula Pesto has bright, rich and addictive qualities! The aromatic peppery flavor of the arugula mixed with the tangy sweet sun dried tomatoes mix perfectly together.
It’s a great pesto that can be slathered on pasta, crostinis, crackers, fresh bread, on toast, pizza, sandwiches and even mixed into soups.
My friend Erin had a small potluck this weekend at a state park in the redwood forest. I brought this pesto with some bread, crackers, pears, apples, raw almonds and a couple of different cheeses.
This pesto is amazing for your skin from the high content of vitamin C in the arugula and sun dried tomatoes. The arugula also increases oxygen levels and hydrates the skin. It’s a great way to treat yourself and your skin at the same time!
This pesto works well with a red Rioja, Barbera, Pinot Noir, white Rioja, Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc.
Recipe:
Approx. 1 1/4 Cups
- 1/2 Cup Sun Dried Tomatoes or Oven Dried Tomatoes (you can use oil-packed drained well, I personally prefer use oil I like)
- 3/4 Cups Arugula
- 1/2 Cup Raw Almonds or Raw Walnuts
- 1/2 Cup Aged Asiago Cheese – finely shredded
- 3/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
- 1 Cloves Garlic
- 1/2 Teaspoon Sea Salt or to taste
Instructions:
First, grind the almonds in a food processor or blender to a fairly fine texture, then add all the other ingredients and blend together until it’s smooth.
Health Benefits:
Sun Dried Tomatoes are very high in anti-oxidants, just one cup has 23 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C and 16 percent of vitamin A. The Vitamin C in dried tomatoes helps your body absorb the high iron content as well. They are high in potassium which helps prevent and lower high blood pressure. These tomatoes are very high in dietary fiber compared to raw tomatoes.
Arugula is a superfood that cleanses the blood and detoxifies cells. It is an extremely high anti-oxidant making it a free radical absorbent and increases oxygen levels. It has a cooling effect on the body and contains 90% water so it keeps your body hydrated making it a great addition to the summer heat. Arugula has very high levels of chlorophyll, which helps with liver damage and contains phytochemicals that fight cancer-causing carcinogens. The leaves have an excellent source of vitamin A helping with vision, skin and respiratory health. It has good levels of vitamin C that’s great for cells and skin health. It also contains decent levels of minerals, especially copper and iron. It has high amounts of calcium and vitamin K that strengthens the bones. Its high fiber content helps with colon health and reduces chronic inflammation as well. It is high in folate (B9), which helps to slow down the aging factors of the brain and supports your metabolism.
