Fresh Basil Pesto

The aromatic sauce has traditionally been used in Italian classics like pizzas and pastas. In recent years, pesto is becoming increasingly popular and is being used as an addition to sandwitches, and marinades. This recipe shows you how to make the versatile sauce, with simple, fresh ingredients and allows you to use it however you want!

Pesto has been traditionally made through the crushing, grinding and mixing using a mortar and pestle, as seen in the above photo. You may choose to make your pesto this way, but for the sake of time and ease, the recipe below describes how to make basil pesto using a food processor or a blender.

Ingredients

2 cups of fresh basil leaves (packed down)

1/2 cup of grated Romano or Parmesan-Reggiano cheese

1/3 cup pine nuts

3 cloves of garlic, minced

1/2 cup of olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

** Makes 1 cup of pesto

Requires

Sheet pan

Food processor or blender

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

2. Place pine nuts in the oven for up to 5 minutes. Remove after toasted and lightly browned. Let sit to cool.

3. Pulse pine nuts, garlic and basil in the blender or food processor several times until broken down.

4. Add olive oil, cheese, and a few twists of salt and pepper.

5. Blend until smooth but not yet liquified. This may take scraping down the sides of the blender or food processor to ensure an event texture.

6. Enjoy!