Rain
Culinary Explorer
Looking to add a burst of flavor to your pasta, sandwiches, or salads? Homemade Pesto is the answer! This vibrant and aromatic sauce is made with fresh basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil, creating a deliciously versatile condiment that’s sure to elevate any dish.
1200×924
260.6 kB
Ingredients:
1200×924
260.6 kB
Ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Toast Pine Nuts: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the pine nuts until lightly golden and fragrant, stirring frequently. Be careful not to burn them. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Prepare Basil: Wash the basil leaves thoroughly and pat them dry with paper towels.
- Blend Ingredients: In a food processor or blender, combine the basil leaves, toasted pine nuts, garlic cloves, and grated Parmesan cheese. Pulse until coarsely chopped.
- Add Olive Oil: With the food processor or blender running, gradually add the olive oil in a steady stream until the pesto reaches your desired consistency. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally.
- Season: Taste the pesto and season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the consistency by adding more olive oil if needed.
- Store: Transfer the pesto to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze pesto in ice cube trays and then transfer the frozen pesto cubes to a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
- Enjoy: Use pesto as a sauce for pasta, a spread for sandwiches, a topping for grilled meats or vegetables, or a flavorful addition to salads. The possibilities are endless!
Fresh basil, pine nuts, cheese - hello flavor explosion! Definitely gonna try making my own pesto now! 
