Pesto is a vibrant Italian classic for a reason – versatile, fresh, and bursting with flavour! This simple recipe, a favourite developed during the time of our former coastal hub, gives the traditional sauce a unique SeaGrown twist by incorporating the savoury depth of our SeaGrown Everyday Seaweed Seasoning.

The subtle umami notes from the seaweed seasoning beautifully complement the fresh basil, rich pine nuts, and sharp Parmesan, adding an extra layer of complexity that makes this pesto truly special. It's incredibly easy to whip up in minutes using a food processor and perfect for stirring through pasta, spreading on sandwiches, or adding a flavour boost to countless other dishes.

You Will Need:

• 15g SeaGrown Everyday Seaweed Seasoning (Find it in our online shop: [Link to Everyday Seasoning Product Page])
• 1 large bunch of fresh basil (approx. 50-60g, leaves and tender stalks)
• 100g pine nuts
• 100g Parmesan cheese, finely grated
• 150ml extra virgin olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed or roughly chopped
• Juice of half a lemon (approx. 1-2 tbsp)

Method:

1. Prep Ingredients: Finely grate the Parmesan cheese. Squeeze the juice from half a lemon. Crush or roughly chop the garlic cloves. Give the fresh basil a quick rinse and roughly chop (including the finer stalks adds flavour!).
2. Blitz Pine Nuts: Place the pine nuts into the bowl of a food processor and pulse on a high speed until they are finely chopped into small, crumbly pieces.
3. Add Liquids & Garlic: Pour the lemon juice over the pine nuts in the processor, add the crushed/chopped garlic, and pulse again briefly just to combine.
4. Combine & Blend: Add the chopped basil, grated Parmesan, and extra virgin olive oil to the food processor bowl. Sprinkle in the SeaGrown Everyday Seaweed Seasoning. Secure the lid tightly.
5. Process Until Smooth: Blend on a high speed until the pesto forms a smooth, vibrant green paste. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula once or twice to ensure everything is fully combined.
6. Taste & Season: Taste the pesto. If you desire a more intense savoury depth or a saltier kick, feel free to blend in a little more Everyday Seaweed Seasoning to your preference!
7. Serve or Store: Your delicious seaweed pesto is ready! Enjoy it immediately stirred through freshly cooked pasta or gnocchi, spread generously on crusty toasted ciabatta or sourdough, dolloped onto summer salads, swirled into soups, or mixed through roasted vegetables or new potatoes. It also keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week – just pour a thin layer of olive oil over the surface before sealing to help preserve its colour and freshness.

This pesto adds a unique taste of the Yorkshire coast to so many meals – a brilliantly versatile cupboard staple!

Get your SeaGrown Everyday Seaweed Seasoning online here: BUY ONLINE

Recipe by: Chef Chris Hobson at The View Restaurant