Hey guys!
I hope you all had an amazing weekend! Thank you so much for all the sweet comments on yesterday’s Mint Chocolate Chip Protein Pancakes…and IF you didn’t see them, go now…print them, Pin them, but most importantly, MAKE them! They are absolutely delicious and you will NOT be disappointed!
FYI, if you’re not too fond of mint, just leave it out!
I may or may not have forgotten to add on the first batch I made the other day…the most mint-less mint chocolate chip flavor I’ve ever tasted…but hey, it’s still chocolate! 😉
And if that wasn’t enough green for you, I’ve got another lean, mean, and GREEN recipe for you today!
Raise your hand if you like pesto!
Ok, how about if we take that pesto, subtract some of the fact, add some fiber, and maybe a little protein?
It’s time for another Meatless Mondays from A- Z hosted by the lovely Heather at Better With Veggies and today I’m going to show you that pesto is DEFINITELY something that is better with veggies…and beans! 😉
When I realized this week would feature edamame as the main ingredient in our weekly recipe roundup, the wheels IMMEDIATELY started turning…only not how you would think. Most people think of the soy bean as (protein-rich) vegetarian ingredient in Asian cuisine, but I thought, why not cross over that border, skip over a few seas and get cozy with our Italian friends?
Edamame Spinach Pesto
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: N/A
Ingredients (Makes 10 Tablespoons)
- 1/2 cup shelled edamame, thawed from frozen
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup basil leaves
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon salt-free Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in food processor and blend until creamy.
Nutritional Stats per 1 TBSP serving: 
Not bad, right? I really wanted to keep the fat content down in this. I love pesto, but let’s be honest, I’m a VOLUME eater and all that fat from the oil, the nuts, AND the cheese just weighs me down. But now? Now I can have a little pasta with my bowl of pesto!
Imagine me waving my little basil leaves as a sign of victory! 😉
Smear it across a toasty slice of bread, or go gluten-free and pair it with a nice warm bowl of spaghetti squash, or you could…
Slather some on top of a Vegan Mushroom Bean Burger!
But you’ll just have to wait until tomorrow for that one…
Have you ever tried edamame?
If you have, what is your favorite way to eat it?
Now head on over to Better with Veggies and get some ideas for your next meatless meal featuring EDAMAME!
YUM! I love me some edamame!!
Oh, that pesto looks fantastic!! I love the green-themed recipes you have been posting lately:) I like that this pesto doesn’t contain an obscene amount of oil and cheese–that way, you can eat much more of it without feeling sick to your stomach! I adore edamame; one of my favorite ways to eat it is shelled, lightly salted, and sprinkled with nutritional yeast–delicious!! I am looking forward to that mushroom bean burger; it is so kind of you to think of us vegetarians when you post recipes, even though you are not one yourself:)
I know, right? I hate seeing all those recipes that are loaded down with fat…I want to ENJOY my pesto-filled meal…not regret it! And thanks girlie, I’ve been having a lot of fun with the green eats! I love green food! Lol I’ll have to try nooch on edamame…can’t believe I’ve never thought of that before!
And you are VERY welcome! I love sharing recipes and I want EVERYBODY to be able to share in them, not just ones that have the same dietary preferences as me…plus, I LOVE to experiment with vegan/vegetarian dishes! 😀
I love edamame! This is such a great idea. Especially for the burger!
Mmm, PESTO. Basil+garlic makes everything fabulous 🙂 And holy cow, SO green! Love that color.
Holy cow – this sounds right up my alley. I actually considered a pesto yesterday, but I’m glad I didn’t, cause your version looks better than what I was thinking of. I have an extra bag of edamame in the freezer too…. I think I’m going to have to try this one soon!!
Awesome! Let me know what you think!
PS, I went to the store the other day for a package of dates JUST so that I can try your banana bread! 😀
woahhhh I’m overwhelmed. so many great recipes to make in one post!
Totally pinning this! Lower fat + higher protein pesto = major WIN!
I love eating edamame in stir fries and grain salads with some sort of homemade sesame oil based sauce. And I also like getting it at sushi restaurants – so salty and good!
Oh yes, stir fries with sesame oil is one of my FAVORITE Asian dishes to make at home. And you just made me realized that I need to make more grain salads…maybe then I’ll finally use up the 18 million different grains I have! Lol
I love me some edamame, but it doesn’t love me. 🙁 Me and soy aren’t friends… we had to break up. I’m still grieving.
Awww, so sad! Sounds like my last relationship with kiwi! I still occasionally stalk him! 😉
Yum! That burger looks sooo good! Thanks for combining all my favourite foods into one!
xo Emilie @ Hungry Delights
Any time my dear…any time! 😉
LOOOOVEE the pictures today.
Keep this style, so fresh 🙂
EEEtalian, huh? 😉 No, I get it.
I love edamame! I think it’s best when it’s steamed and right out of the pod (preferably as an app with sushi!). The pesto is GENIUS!! Adding this to my “to-make” list!
My fave sushi joint serves free edamame like mexican restaurants serve chips and salsa..so that’s my favorite!
So when I come for a visit, you’ll know where to take me, right? 😉
Woo, this looks awesome. Iv always wanted to make my own pesto, but most recipes the amount of oil used is sooo high, it’s a little off putting, ya know? So its good to know you can create a yummy pesto sauce that is a little lighter. I definitely want to make this:).
Xxx
That’s me exactly! With the oil and the nuts AND the cheese? I mean, I want a tasty pesto, but is all that really necessary? And now I know that answer is definitely NOT! 😉 I really hope you try it!
I LOVE the idea of using edamame in pesto to give it a punch of protein!! Genius 😉 Yet another amazing creation that I’m gonna have to try.
Thanks Ali! I really hope you like it! It’s great on so many things!
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Brilliant idea. I love edamame, put them in lots of dishes but your idea is just brilliant! Gonna try it tomorrow!
Awesome! It’s definitely one of my favorite spreads. Let me know what you think! 🙂