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0 from 36 votes

Basil Pesto

A simple and flavorful recipe that's sure to be a favorite.

Cook Time
mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings: 8
Calories: 238 kcal
Course: Others
Cuisine: gluten-free

Ingredients

  • 5 cup (100g) basil leaves
  • 1 cup (100g) Parmesan cheese
  • 2/3 cup (100g) roasted cashew nuts
  • 2 garlic cloves crushed
  • salt
  • ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup (100mL) extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Put basil, Parmesan, cashew nuts, garlic cloves, salt and pepper into a food processor and whiz into a paste.
  2. If you like your pesto chunky then whiz for a shorter time than you would if you want it smoother.
  3. Transfer paste into a container and slowly drizzle in olive oil, mixing all the time till pesto is saturated. I add in about 1/2 cup (100mL) for this amount of pesto but OH happily adds in more.
  4. Adjust seasonings to taste and then serve.

Notes

  • If using raw garlic in pesto is to crush it first,  as you don't want to end up with large chunks of garlic when eating it.
  • This is a basic sauce recipe; feel free to adjust ingredients as necessary.
  • For a smoother basil pesto sauce blend for longer, blend less if you prefer a chunkier sauce.
  • If you want it to be more of a sauce then add a little bit more oil.
  • To roast the nuts, bake them in the oven at fan-assisted 140C/ 160C/ 350F/ Gas 4 for about 15 minutes.
  • Using roasted garlic instead of raw adds additional flavor to this.
  • If using raw garlic in pesto is to crush it first,  as you don't want to end up with large chunks of garlic when eating it.
  • Instant Pot Pesto Pasta.
  • Instant Pot Mac and Cheese.

Nutrition Information

Calories 238kcal (12%) Carbohydrates 5g (2%) Protein 7g (14%) Fat 22g (34%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Cholesterol 9mg (3%) Sodium 203mg (8%) Potassium 120mg (3%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 889IU (18%) Vitamin C 3mg (3%) Calcium 181mg (18%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 238

% Daily Value*

Calories 238kcal 12%
Carbohydrates 5g 2%
Protein 7g 14%
Fat 22g 34%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Cholesterol 9mg 3%
Sodium 203mg 8%
Potassium 120mg 3%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 889IU 18%
Vitamin C 3mg 3%
Calcium 181mg 18%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.