4.9 from 144 votes
Basil Pesto
Basil Pesto is a vibrant sauce made by combining toasted pine nuts, garlic cooked in olive oil, fresh basil leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. The sauce is blended until rustic and smooth, seasoned with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. This classic preparation offers a fresh herbal flavor balanced by nutty richness and a creamy texture. It’s versatile for pasta, sandwiches, or as a condiment.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings:
4
servings
Course:
Side Dish, Condiments
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 6 basil bunches
- 1.5 cups pine nuts
- 1 cup parmesan grated
- 3 cloves garlic
- sea salt flakes
- black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- Toss the pine nuts in a dry pan over medium high heat until golden brown.
- Remove and allow to cool.
- Cook the garlic in a little olive oil until soft, remove and allow to cool.
- Pick all the leaves off the stems and discard the stems.
- Place all the leaves into a food processor and chop on high (you may need to add a little olive oil to get the leaves moving).
- Once they are very roughly chopped add the cooled nuts, garlic and parmesan cheese.
- Process on high and add the olive oil as you do, if you prefer a stiffer pesto, only add about half the olive oil.
- Process until rustically smooth.
- Season to taste with salt & pepper.
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