Description
This recipe uses the classic ingredients found in traditional pesto alla Genovese. The combination of basil, garlic, pine nuts, and parmesan cheese creates a bright, aromatic sauce that’s perfect for dressing up anything from pasta to grilled meats.
Ingredients
Scale
2 cups of fresh basil leaves, tightly packed (basilico)
1/3 cup of pine nuts, toasted
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
2 small garlic cloves, peeled
1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1/4 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
Instructions
- Toast: Start by toasting your pine nuts in a dry pan over medium heat. Keep an eye on them and stir frequently until they’re golden brown and fragrant. This adds a rich, nutty flavour to your basil pesto.
- Blend: In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, toasted pine nuts, garlic cloves, and parmesan cheese. Pulse it a few times to chop everything up and get those flavours blending.
- Add the Olive Oil: While the food processor is running, slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil until everything is smooth yet chunky.
- Taste: Don’t forget to season with salt and pepper to taste and add a dash of lemon juice.
- Prep Time: 10
- Category: Sauces
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
