Ingredients
Toasted Nuts
- 4 ounces pine nuts
Herb and Cheese Blend
- 4 cups fresh basil (lightly packed)
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 cup coarsely grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
Other Ingredients
- 1 cup olive oil
- kosher salt, to taste
- fresh ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Toast Pine Nuts: Add the pine nuts to a small skillet over medium heat and toast them, stirring frequently, until they become lightly golden brown and fragrant, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
- Initial Processing: In the bowl of a food processor, combine half of the cooled pine nuts, 3 cups of fresh basil, 2 garlic cloves, half of the parmesan cheese (1/2 cup), and the lemon zest. Pulse and process for about 30 seconds until the mixture is finely chopped.
- Add Olive Oil: With the food processor running on low speed, slowly drizzle in 3/4 cup of olive oil. Continue processing until the mixture forms a loose, mostly smooth paste. Periodically stop to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure even blending.
- Final Mixing: Add the remaining pine nuts, basil, garlic clove, and parmesan cheese to the food processor bowl. Pulse a few times to combine, maintaining a slightly textured consistency rather than a completely smooth paste.
- Incorporate Remaining Olive Oil and Seasoning: Transfer the pesto to a bowl using a rubber spatula. Stir in the remaining 1/4 cup of olive oil until fully incorporated. Season the pesto with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper according to your taste preferences.
- Storage: Store the prepared basil pesto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For extended storage, freeze the pesto in suitable containers or ice cube trays.
Notes
- For a nuttier flavor, do not skip toasting the pine nuts.
- Fresh basil is key for the best flavor; avoid dried basil.
- Adjust the garlic quantity to your taste preference for more or less pungency.
- This pesto can be frozen in ice cube trays for convenient portioning.
- Use freshly grated parmesan rather than pre-grated for better texture and taste.
- Serve pesto with pasta, as a spread on sandwiches, or as a dip for vegetables.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
