Creamy Pesto and Sun-Dried Tomato Dressing

This is a wonderfully creamy and flavorful dressing that is perfect for salads, grilled vegetables, or even as a dip for chips. The avocado provides a rich and creamy base, while the fresh basil, pine nuts, and sun-dried tomatoes add bright and savory flavors. The garlic and lemon juice add a bit of zing, and the olive oil helps to emulsify the dressing and give it a smooth texture.

This dressing was inspired by a trip to Italy that I took a few years ago. I was particularly struck by the vibrant flavors of the food, and I wanted to create a dressing that would capture some of that same magic. After experimenting with different combinations of ingredients, I finally settled on this recipe. It's now one of my favorite dressings to make, and I always get rave reviews from my friends and family when I serve it.

Prep time: 5 | Cook time: 0 | Serves: 2

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup avocado
• 1/2 cup fresh basil
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a blender or food processor, combine the avocado, basil, pine nuts, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Why It Works

• The avocado provides a rich and creamy base for the dressing.
• The fresh basil, pine nuts, and sun-dried tomatoes add bright and savory flavors.
• The garlic and lemon juice add a bit of zing.
• The olive oil helps to emulsify the dressing and give it a smooth texture.