Roasted Tomato Vegan Pesto featuring Nutritional Yeast

If you're trying to go easy on the cheese lately, you need to meet my friend NUTRITIONAL YEAST. It also goes by the nicknames "nut yeast" and "nooch." Popular with vegans and vegetarians, this flaky yellow goodness is a natural source of protein and B-complex vitamins (including B12, which is typically only found in animal products). It has a nutty, cheesy, creamy flavor, often used as a replacement for the beloved Parmesan cheese.

Sprinkle it on popcorn, add it to mashed root vegetables or omelets, use it to make vegan pesto (photo above) or flavor kale chips with it. 

Nutritional yeast is often sold in bulk sections at the grocery store, it can also be found near other seasonings (I love Bragg), or alongside supplements and specialty health foods in larger jars.

Roasted Tomato Vegan Pesto

Ingredients:

4 Roma tomatoes, sautéed/roasted first
1/2 cup almonds, preferably sprouted
2 cloves garlic
2 tbsp. lemon juice
3/4 cup fresh basil
1/2 cup fresh spinach
scant 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp. nutritional yeast

Directions: 

Combine all in a food processor with S-blade or pulse in a blender 'til desired consistency.