Pesto Toastini

Pesto Toastini

Expecting visitors? Serving them something delicious and healthy may seem like a task, but this dish makes a perfect hors d'œuvre for your next gathering. Whole-wheat bread provides valuable nutrients while reduced-sodium broth keep the calories and fat low and fresh herbs give the dish a world of flavor.

Ingredients:

1 cup firmly packed basil leaves

1 cup firmly packed baby spinach

1/4 cup lightly packed flat-leaf parsley, stems removed

1/4 cup blanched almonds

2 large garlic cloves, chopped

2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese

1 Tbsp. reduced sodium MSG-free chicken broth

3 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

Sea Salt and ground black pepper, to taste

24 1/2-inch thick slices of whole-wheat Italian bread, cut diagonally

(As always, for the very healthiest versions of any recipe choose organic content as much as possible.)

Instructions:

1. In a food processor, combine the basil, spinach, and parsley. Whirl until the leaves are coarsely chopped. Add the almonds, garlic, cheese and broth. Whirl to a coarse puree. With the motor running, gradually drizzle in the oil and process until it is fully blended into the pesto. Season to taste with salt and pepper. There will be about 1 cup of pesto.

2. Spread the top of each slice of bread generously with pesto. Heat the pesto-covered slices in a toaster oven until the bread is toasted on the bottom and the pesto is warmed through. Serve immediately.

3, To store any unused pesto, spoon it into a small container, smoothing the top. Pour in enough olive oil to cover the top of the pesto. Refrigerate for up to 2 days.

Makes 8 servings, 2 Tbsp. pesto per serving.

Per serving: 190 calories, 8 g total fat (1 g saturated fat), 25 g carbohydrate,

5 g protein, 3 g dietary fiber, 245 mg sodium.

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