Basil Pesto
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
5 mins
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Total Time
5 mins
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Servings
1 cup
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Course
Condiments
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Cuisine
Italian
Basil Pesto
Description
The Basil Pesto recipe combines toasted pine nuts and fresh basil leaves, delivering a classic herbaceous base. Lemon juice adds brightness while garlic and sea salt provide depth. Olive oil is drizzled in to create a smooth, cohesive sauce, with an optional addition of freshly grated Parmesan cheese for richness. The food processor technique ensures the ingredients blend evenly without becoming overworked.
This versatile pesto offers a fresh, slightly nutty flavor with herbaceous notes from basil. The texture is rich and luscious but can be adjusted by adding more olive oil for a smoother consistency. It can be quickly whipped up and used as a sauce for pasta or a condiment to enhance many dishes.
For ease, use toasted pine nuts for a more pronounced flavor. The optional cheese creates an added savory edge but can be omitted for a dairy-free or lighter version.
Ingredients
Basic Basil Pesto:
- ½ cup pine nuts toasted
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice fresh
- 1 garlic small clove
- ¼ teaspoon salt sea salt
- black pepper freshly ground
- 2 cups basil leaves
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil plus more for a smoother pesto
- ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese optional, freshly grated
Instructions
- In a food processor, combine the pine nuts, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper and pulse until well chopped.
- Add the basil and pulse until combined.
- With the food processor running, drizzle in the olive oil and pulse until combined. Add the Parmesan cheese, if using, and pulse to briefly combine. For a smoother pesto, add more olive oil.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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