Description
Silky smooth Homemade Basil Pesto brings Mediterranean magic straight to kitchen counters with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor. Fresh green herbs blend perfectly with rich pine nuts, creating a sauce that elevates countless dishes for passionate cooks.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ cup (118 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups (480 ml) fresh basil leaves, packed
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- ⅓ cup (40 g) pine nuts (or walnuts for a budget-friendly option)
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon juice (optional, for brightness)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Pulse Ingredients: Combine basil, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, garlic, salt, and black pepper in a food processor, blending until ingredients are finely chopped and integrated.
- Emulsify Mixture: Stream olive oil into the processor while continuously running, creating a smooth, velvety consistency that binds all elements together perfectly.
- Refine Flavor Profile: Enhance the pesto with a splash of lemon juice to brighten the taste, then carefully taste and calibrate seasoning, ensuring a balanced and vibrant result.
- Preservation & Serving: Transfer the freshly crafted pesto to an airtight container, where it will maintain its robust flavor in the refrigerator for approximately one week. For extended preservation, portion the pesto into ice cube trays, freeze, then transfer the frozen cubes to a sealed freezer bag, allowing convenient portioning for future culinary adventures.
Notes
- Quickly pulse ingredients to prevent oxidation, maintaining the pesto’s bright color and fresh appearance.
- Swap pine nuts with walnuts or almonds for budget-friendly or allergy-friendly variations without compromising flavor.
- Add oil gradually to achieve desired texture – less for a thicker spread, more for a smooth sauce perfect for pasta.
- Top stored pesto with a thin layer of olive oil to prevent browning and preserve its fresh taste in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg