Description
Lush basil pesto brings Mediterranean sunshine to your kitchen, blending aromatic herbs with rich parmesan. Pine nuts and garlic create a classic Italian sauce that elevates pasta, sandwiches, and grilled dishes with irresistible flavor you’ll crave.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups (473 ml) fresh basil leaves, packed
- ⅓ cup (50 g) pine nuts
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 2 garlic cloves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Liquid Ingredient:
- ½ cup (118 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Carefully warm an ungreased skillet over medium-high temperature, creating an even heating surface for toasting the pine nuts.
- Gently transfer pine nuts into the heated skillet, continuously moving them around to prevent burning and ensure uniform golden coloration.
- Listen for a subtle crackling sound and watch for a light golden hue, which signals the nuts are perfectly toasted and releasing their aromatic oils, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Immediately remove the skillet from heat, allowing the pine nuts to cool naturally and prevent further browning.
- Transfer the toasted pine nuts to a separate cool surface, preparing them for the next stage of pesto preparation.
Notes
- Toast pine nuts carefully to enhance their nutty flavor without burning, watching them closely as they can quickly go from golden to charred.
- Swap pine nuts with more affordable alternatives like walnuts or almonds for budget-friendly pesto variations that still deliver rich, creamy texture.
- Use a food processor or high-powered blender to achieve smooth, well-integrated pesto with consistent texture and no large chunks of ingredients.
- Store fresh pesto in an airtight container with a thin layer of olive oil on top to prevent oxidation and maintain vibrant green color for up to a week in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg