Pesto
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Serve this simple, verdant sauce at room temperature over pasta or spread on toasted bread for a quick and easy appetizer.
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
0 minutes
Yield
6 Servings
Ingredients
4 cups basil, fresh
3 cloves garlic
1⁄3 cup pine nuts (or walnuts or sunflower seeds)
1⁄2 cup cheese, parmesan
1⁄2 cup olive oil
salt
black pepper
Instructions
In a blender or food processor, combine half of the basil with all the other ingredients. Use a low speed and stop often to stir. Blend until smooth, gradually adding the remaining basil.
If using a mortar and pestle, first mash the garlic and salt, then add nuts and continue mashing. Add basil with a little olive oil and mash until a smooth paste is formed. Continue adding olive oil and mix to incorporate.
Taste and season as needed.
Tips:
- Squeeze in a teaspoon of lemon juice with the basil to help retain its vivid color.
- Substitute parsley, arugula, or other greens for part of the basil measurement.
- If you aren’t eating it right away, pesto stores well in the freezer. For convenience, freeze pesto in an ice cube tray. Once frozen solid, pop them out into a plastic bag and place back in the freezer. The small cubes are an easy portion size to thaw when you need them.