What is Basil Pesto?
Basil pesto is a traditional Italian sauce made of fresh basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. The ingredients are blended together to create a creamy, rich, and bright green sauce. Its fresh and bold flavor makes it a perfect topping for pasta, spread on sandwiches, or used as a dip for veggies.
Why Make Your Own?
While it may be tempting to opt for store-bought pesto, there are many reasons why making your own is worth it. First and foremost, homemade pesto allows for customization according to individual tastes. You can adjust the level of garlic or Parmesan cheese to your liking. Additionally, making your own pesto ensures that you are using fresh, quality ingredients. Store-bought versions may contain preservatives and additives, while homemade pesto uses pure and natural ingredients.
Homemade Basil Pesto
Equipment
- food processor
Ingredients
- 3 cups fresh basil leaves, removed from stems
- 1/4 cup pine nuts toasted
- 2-3 cloves of garlic
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 1/4 tsp Kosher salt + some on hand to adjust the taste
- 1/8 tsp ground pepper, I like my mixed pepper blend
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil Depending on how thin you would like your sauce, you may need a little more.
Instructions
- Into a food processor place all ingredients except for the oil.
- Pulse ingredients on low until everything is starting to get the proper consistency.
- Now, slowly pour in the olive oil.
- Do a taste test and add a little more salt and pepper if needed.
- Once processed remove from the processor and put into a storage container such as a jar.
- This should keep in the fridge for about a week, but you can also put it in the freezer, and it should be good for months.