Traditional Basil Pesto (Pesto alla Genovese)
User Reviews
4.5
12 reviews
Excellent
Traditional Basil Pesto (Pesto alla Genovese)
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This traditional pesto sauce recipe (pesto alla Genovese) uses six simple ingredients and is the perfect sauce, dip and spread for your summer dishes!
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Ingredients
- 1.5 cups basil leaves packed, small variety (~75 small leaves)
- 2 tablespoon pine nuts preferably toasted
- 2 cloves garlic chopped and smashed
- ⅓ cup Parmesan or Grana Padano cheese freshly grated
- ½ teaspoon salt coarse salt if possible
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
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Instructions
- Place your food processor bowl and blade in the fridge while you get the rest of the ingredients set up!
- Optional *but highly recommended: use a skillet to toast the pine nuts over medium, stirring frequently, for about 2 to 4 minutes. Let them cool.
- Wash the basil leaves and dry them thoroughly (they need to be dry!)
- Add the basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, cheese, and salt to the bowl of the food processor and pulse until a coarse mixture forms
- Now, add the olive oil slowly through the spout of the food processor and pulse to combine until a smooth sauce forms. Note: if your food processor does not have a spout through which you can pour the olive oil, just add the oil slowly and use a spatula to combine as you pour!
Notes
- If you don't have a food processor, you can use a mortar and pestle - in fact, this is how it's traditionally done in Genoa!
- Most Parmesan cheese, unfortunately, is not vegetarian (they include calf rennet). Please make sure to use vegetarian Parmesan if you'd like to keep a certain diet!
- Don't cook the pesto when you use it in pasta! Instead, boil the pasta to instructions on package, reserve ⅓ cup of pasta water (per box of pasta cooked). Add the cooked pasta to a mixing bowl, add pesto and slowly add the pasta water and toss to combine. Garnish and serve for deliciousness!
Nutrition Information
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Calories
206kcal
(10%)
Carbohydrates
1g
(0%)
Protein
3g
(6%)
Fat
22g
(34%)
Saturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Cholesterol
4mg
(1%)
Sodium
284mg
(12%)
Potassium
38mg
(1%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
360IU
(7%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
78mg
(8%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 206 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 206kcal | 10% |
| Carbohydrates | 1g | 0% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 22g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 4mg | 1% |
| Sodium | 284mg | 12% |
| Potassium | 38mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 360IU | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 78mg | 8% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.5
12 reviews
Excellent
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