5.0 from 33 votes
Basil Pesto Without Nuts
This nut free pesto is rich, creamy and simply wonderful! It is quick and easy to prepare, and uses a special ingredient!
Prep Time
20 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 271 kcal
Course:
Side Dish , Main Course , Appetizer
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 120 milliliters olive oil ½ cup
- 40 grams basil 2 cups, small fresh leaves
- 2 cloves garlic
- 3 tablespoons Parmesan reggiano cheese freshly grated
- 2 tablespoons Pecorino Sardo cheese (aged) freshly grated
- sea salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon mashed banana optional
Instructions
- Wash the basil leaves taking care not to damage them, and wipe dry with a kitchen towel.
- Using a pestle and mortar, crush the garlic and salt to a paste.
- Add a few basil leaves at a time, grinding in a light, circular motion, till all the leaves have been cut to small bits and add the cheese. Mix in the banana if using.
- Stir in the oil , add the grated cheeses and mix well till fully amalgamated. Serve immediately.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Further details are in the post above
- If using a blender, blend the garlic and salt first, then add the leaves.
- Blend in short pulses, stopping to push down the leaves every so often, till it becomes a paste.
- Spoon out into a bowl/jar, and stir in the banana and cheeses, then mix in the oil.
- To serve with pasta, mix in a little of the starchy pasta water to combine it well.
- Fresh pesto always has the best flavour, but will keep in an airtight container for a day or two in the fridge.
- Pesto will darken on exposure to air, so make sure there is a layer of oil covering the pesto before sealing and storing in the fridge/freezer to prevent oxidation.
- Blend with 1 tablespoon banana for extra creaminess, but this will reduce the amount of time it can be stored in the fridge.
- Pesto can also be frozen in ice cube trays, and stored in freezer bags.
Nutrition Information
Calories
271kcal
(14%)
Carbohydrates
2g
(1%)
Protein
3g
(6%)
Fat
29g
(45%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Cholesterol
5mg
(2%)
Sodium
91mg
(4%)
Potassium
49mg
(1%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
662IU
(13%)
Vitamin C
3mg
(3%)
Calcium
95mg
(10%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 271
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 271kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 2g | 1% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 29g | 45% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 5mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 91mg | 4% |
| Potassium | 49mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 662IU | 13% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 95mg | 10% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.