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Discover the magic of homemade pesto with this easy and flavorful recipe. Transform simple ingredients into a vibrant and delicious sauce.
Type of Cuisine:
Mediterranean
Prep Time: 10 Minutes.
Cook Time: 0 Minutes
How Many Servings?
4-6 Servings
Ingredients:
1X
2X
3X
Adjust Servings
| ⅓ cup pine nuts | |
| 2 cups basil leaves (cleaned and dry) | |
| 3 garlic cloves (roughly chopped) | |
| ½ cup extra virgin olive oil | |
| ½ cup parmesan cheese | |
| ½ teaspoon salt | |
| ½ teaspoon black pepper |
Preparation
1
Blend the Base
Add the cleaned basil leaves, garlic, and pine nuts to a food processor. Blend for about 2 minutes, until finely chopped and well combined.
Add the cleaned basil leaves, garlic, and pine nuts to a food processor. Blend for about 2 minutes, until finely chopped and well combined.
2
Add Cheese & Season
Scrape down the sides of the food processor, then add the Parmesan cheese along with a pinch of salt and black pepper. Pulse until everything is evenly incorporated.
Scrape down the sides of the food processor, then add the Parmesan cheese along with a pinch of salt and black pepper. Pulse until everything is evenly incorporated.
3
Add the Olive Oil
With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil through the top opening. Continue blending until the pesto becomes smooth and creamy.
With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil through the top opening. Continue blending until the pesto becomes smooth and creamy.
4
Adjust & Store
Taste your pesto and adjust the salt or pepper if needed. Transfer to a clean glass jar and store in the refrigerator—it’ll keep fresh for up to a week.
Taste your pesto and adjust the salt or pepper if needed. Transfer to a clean glass jar and store in the refrigerator—it’ll keep fresh for up to a week.
Recipe Tips & Suggestions
Quality Ingredients:
Since pesto has such a simple composition, the quality of your ingredients can make a big difference. Use the freshest basil and best quality Parmigiano Reggiano and olive oil you can find.
Basil Handling:
Basil leaves are very delicate and can bruise easily, which can lead to oxidation and a loss of flavor. Handle them gently and try to use them as soon as possible after they are picked.
Toasting Pine Nuts:
For added flavor, consider toasting the pine nuts before adding them to your pesto. Just be sure to let them cool before processing.
Freezing Pesto:
If you have leftover pesto, remember it freezes well. Consider freezing it in ice cube trays for easy-to-use portions. Just pop out a cube whenever you need a hit of fresh pesto flavor.
Pesto Uses:
While pesto is traditionally used with pasta, it's also great in sandwiches, mixed into salads, spread on grilled meat, or even used as a pizza topping. Encourage your readers to get creative
Allergy Note:
Pine nuts can be omitted or replaced with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin for those with nut allergies.
Vegan/Dairy-Free Variation:
For a vegan or dairy-free version, omit the cheese or replace it with a vegan cheese or nutritional yeast.
Seasoning Tip:
The cheese and nuts are salty, so be sure to taste your pesto before adding any additional salt.