Description
Creamy basil sauce brings Mediterranean sunshine to your plate, dancing with fresh herbs and rich flavors. Silky smooth and perfectly balanced, this sauce invites passionate cooks to elevate simple dishes with one magical drizzle.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (0.47 l) fresh basil leaves, packed
- 12 cloves garlic (to taste)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- ½ cup (120 ml) olive oil
- 2 tbsps lemon juice (fresh)
- 2 tbsps pine nuts or walnuts (optional)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (for a tangy kick)
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup (balances the acidity)
- 12 tbsps (180 ml) water (to thin, if needed)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Herb Preparation: Gather all ingredients and place basil, garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, and optional nuts/cheese into a food processor or high-powered blender.
- Initial Blending: Pulse the mixture rapidly until ingredients are roughly chopped and beginning to integrate, creating a preliminary texture with visible herb fragments.
- Emulsification Process: Activate the blender and gradually stream olive oil in a thin, steady ribbon while maintaining continuous blending, transforming the mixture into a silky, cohesive sauce. Incorporate water incrementally to achieve desired consistency if sauce appears too dense.
- Final Seasoning: Pause blending, taste the sauce, and introduce salt and pepper to enhance flavor profile. Briefly re-blend to distribute seasonings evenly and ensure smooth integration.
- Storage: Transfer the vibrant green sauce into a clean, sealed glass container. Refrigerate and consume within seven days, allowing flavors to meld and develop complexity.
Notes
- Use vibrant, bright green basil leaves without any dark spots or wilting to ensure maximum flavor and color intensity.
- Control sauce thickness by gradually adding water or olive oil, testing texture between pulses for perfect pourable or spreadable consistency.
- Add a thin layer of olive oil on top when storing to prevent basil sauce from turning brown and maintain bright green color.
- Swap nuts or cheese with sunflower seeds or nutritional yeast for vegan versions, ensuring same creamy texture and rich taste profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg