Vitamix tomato spinach mint pesto

Love using my new vitamix.  Just trying out recipes to get used to the best settings to use.  Good thing it comes with a tool to push all the ingredients down while chopping, without risk of getting the 'pusher' in the blades.

This recipe is good - a little heavy on the garlic but I guess that's what its supposed to be.  The fresh basil stood out.  I was happy to use almonds (raw slivered) instead of the usual pine nuts, as I usually don't have those around and they go rancid rather quickly. 

Might add nutritional yeast next time, since pesto often has cheese in it.

Ingredients

• ½ cup (120 ml) extra virgin olive oil
• 4 large (730 g) tomatoes, halved
• ½ cup (20 g) fresh basil leaves
• ½ cup (15 g) fresh spinach
• 6 small garlic clove, peeled
• 1 teaspoon salt, optional
• 1 cup (145 g) blanched almonds
• 1 pinch ground black pepper

Directions

1. Place olive oil, half of tomatoes, basil, fresh spinach, garlic, salt, almonds, and black pepper into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure the lid.
2. Start the blender on its lowest speed, then quickly increase to its highest speed, using the tamper to press ingredients toward the blades.
3. Blend for 10-15 seconds. Stop machine and remove lid.
4. Add in remaining tomatoes and secure lid. Select Variable 4.
5. Pulse 10-15 times using the tamper to press the ingredients towards the blades.