This is one of my "go-to" recipes when it comes to a quick and easy appetizer. Not only does it only take a couple of seconds to assemble but can also be made ahead and then quickly heated right before serving.

On to the recipe!

The first step to creating this wonderful dish is to make your own pesto. Why not just buy store made pesto? Most store bought pestos contain vegetable oils such as sunflower oil. Sunflower oil has been shown to cause an increase in inflammation in our body so making your own pesto using olive oil is a much healthier option.

If you want to learn more about the negative impacts of vegetable oils on our health, check out my Avocado Mayo recipe where I go into detail about the inflammatory responses caused by vegetable oils.

What you will need:

basil
garlic
chia seeds
olive oil
salt and pepper
lemon juice (not necessary but adds a little extra tang)
Mini Blender

What are chia seeds?

Although Chia seeds are members of the mint family, they do not have any mint taste. Chia seeds have a more mild, nutty flavor. They are VERY high in fiber as well as high in omega-3 fatty acids. As for vitamins, they contain a good source of calcium, magnesium and iron. When added to liquid, chia seeds absorb some of the liquid and transform the liquid into a more gelatinous material.

To serve this recipe, feel free to use chopped up vegetables such as celery, peppers, cucumbers or carrots. You can also serve it with my healthy almond flour crackers recipe. If you want to keep this dish purely keto, I suggest using my favorite Pork Rinds as your dipper. Many pork rinds are filled with unhealthy ingredients but this brand contains zero carbs and a simple ingredient list of just pork and salt.

Not only is it high in healthy fats BUT it is also high in nutritional density due to the addition of chia seeds, so make sure you try it soon!

Pesto Goat Cheese Gratin

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Easy to prepare and healthy to eat, this can be made as an appetizer or served over spaghetti squash or a baked potato for a complete meal.

Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale

2.5 cups fresh basil
2 tbsp chia seeds
1 tbsp lemon juice, fresh (can be omitted)
1 tbsp minced garlic
¼ cup olive oil
¼ tsp sea salt
pinch of ground black pepper
4 oz goat cheese (or other cheese of choice)

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Instructions

In a mini food processor, add basil, chia seeds, lemon juice (if using) and garlic. Process until finely chopped
Slowly add the olive oil as the machine is running and process until smooth.
Add salt and pepper and pulse until fully combined.
Preheat broiler to high.
In a 10 inch round oven proof skillet, crumble goat cheese to cover skillet. Spread pesto over cheese and place about 3 inches from heat.
Broil until cheese is melted, approximately 4-5 minutes