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basil pesto

Basil Pesto

Course Side Dish
Cuisine Italian, Mediterranean

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts
  • 1 quart basil leaves
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 3/4 cup olive oil
  • salt, to taste
  • variations: substitute walnuts or pistachios for the pine nuts and Pecorino Romano for the Parmesan

Instructions
 

  • In the bowl of a food processor, process the garlic and pine nuts until fine. Add the basil leaves and Parmesan and process again. With the machine running, stream in the olive oil to create a nice saucy consistency. Season to taste with salt.
  • Refrigerate and use within a couple days or freeze, flattened in resealable plastic bags, to enjoy all year. I like pesto tossed with pasta, as a topping for pizza, spread on Italian sandwiches, blended with my salad dressing, or even stirred into tomato or minestrone soup. There are countless ways to enjoy it!
Keyword pasta