vegan pesto in London or Kent

[Linxie]

Does anyone know where in London or Kent I can buy vegan pesto? I know its out there, I just can't find it!

Or if anyone has a simple recipe for make it myself that would be good too!

[Mr Flibble]

Green pesto is basically just basil (or different herb), olive oil (extra virgin), vinegar (wine, but balsamic is nice if you can get over the fact it looks weird), pinenuts (or different nut). Red the same with tomato (sundried).

Fresh is always better than from in jars. Sainsburys and tesco both sell vegan red pesto (hemp, overpriced but nice) and healthfood stores sell green (comes in octagonal jars, disgusting).

Recipe for green here. Personally I never measure ingredients for pesto.

[harpy]

I quite like the stuff Mr F thinks is disgusting, though homemade is certainly nicer.

This is what it looks like:

http://www.goodnessdirect.co.uk/cgi-...il/760467.html

If you have any of those GNC shops near you, they may have it. Not sure if H&B does.

[Gorilla]

i love Zest vegan pesto, i eat tons of the stuff because i'm useless at making my own.

btw the jars are hexagonal *is a smart-arse*

there's also a make called Fiorentina (i think they make Parmazano - vegan Parmesan cheese), the green variety of which isn't as good imo, but they make a nice red pesto. i think Meridian also make a vegan pesto.

[!!]

tesco sell some green pesto in their free from products section, and i've also seen some in aldi which was cheese free

[Mr Flibble]

Does anyone know if the GNC/Monsanto connection still exists? I've never really shopped at GNC because of it, but then the last time i heard anything was about 8 years ago.

[Linxie]

Thanks for your help everyone - I will get hunting! Hadn't thought of trying Aldi. Or I'll get my lazy butt into gear and have a go at making some

[Pob]

The Health House in Chatham sell it, as do Canterbury Wholefoods.

Which bit of Kent are you in, if that's not too nosey a question?

[aubergine]

The Health Stores in Bromley and Petts Wood also do Vegan Pesto.

[Linxie]

Thanks guys. I live in Gravesend but my sister lives towards Chatham and I do go to Bromley from time to time. When I eventually find it I will have to stock up!

[Purple]

There's a "Dress Italian" range (I think that's what it's called) that you can get in certain waitrose/sainsburys, the ones I've seen all seem to vegan in ingredients, and have no added crap/sugar/additives etc.

They're tasty too

[Mr Flibble]

Dress "Italian Classic Pesto Basil" has Grana Padano cheese listed as an ingredient. All the others in their range contain lactic acid, which whilst is generally vegan suitable isn't always.

[Tank-Girl]

Sainsburys have a 'free from' section and i'm certain they have vegan pesto there!

[Lily]

I've just mentioned in another thread ('quick and easy curry', or something similar) that Meridian Foods do a vegan "free from" green pesto. I think it's lovely, as are the curry sauces I mentioned there. I have found some of their products in Tesco, and my local health food store stocks them.

The website tells you where you can find their products, just click on your area and county - lots of Holland & Barrett stores stock it, I noticed.

[Hemlock]

Any health food shop should sell it! I live in a tiny seaside town with rubbish shops and even I can get it, it's terribly calorific though, I'd rather make my own sauce.

[Linxie]

Hip hip hooray!!! I went into local my tesco metro today and they have introduced a "free from" section for the first time! Houston ... we have green vegan pesto *does a little victory dance*

[pat sommer]

making your own is fun and cheap: replace fresh basil with an equal amount of raw spinach leaf and a wee bit of dry basil (1c leaves/1t basil).
For the cheesy bit I love Blue Dragon Magic Paste (coriander root garlic white pepper) a little goes a long way.
Experiment with nut/leaf combos: rocket and hazelnut, coriander and walnut (latest favourite).
Doesn't freeze well but if well covered with oil will last a week or so

[HerbivoreHelen]

Hip hip hooray!!! I went into local my tesco metro today and they have introduced a "free from" section for the first time! Houston ... we have green vegan pesto *does a little victory dance*

I bought some too! Its really nice as salad dressing.

[harpy]

The Zest vegan pesto seems to have disappeared from both our local health food shops - I see it's still available on Goodness Direct's site though so I hope it's still being made?

In the meantime does anyone know of any readily available alternatives? I know it's better to make your own and I sometimes do but I like to have the jar stuff available for "emergencies"

We don't have a big Tesco within walking distance, fortunately or unfortunately