Instructions: 4 TO 6 SERVINGS DAIRY-FREE

This chickpea pesto makes a delectable filling for mushrooms or it can be served in the traditional manner by stirring it into warm pasta.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Toast pine nuts in dry skillet until aromatic and lightly colored. Be careful not to overcook. Combine pine nuts and chickpeas in food processor and grind. Add herbs and garlic and puree to a thick paste. Add chickpea liquid and process until blended. Add oil and process until incorporated. Add salt and mix. Sprinkle with cheese if desired.

Remove mushroom stems and reserve for another use; clean mushroom caps.

Fill caps with a tablespoonful (use a teaspoon for small mushrooms) of pesto. Place mushrooms in a baking dish. Bake until mushrooms are tender, about 15 minutes. Very large mushrooms may take longer to cook.

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