Best Basil Pesto
Basil Pesto – 5 minute fresh no-cook sauce perfect for blending with pasta, as a pizza sauce or bread dip. Whips up easily in the food processor or blender.
Servings: 4
Calories:
Equipment
- food processor or high speed blender
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup pine nuts toasted
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice or more to taste
- 2 small garlic cloves minced
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups basil leaves packed (stems removed)
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil or more for smoother texture
- 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Add pine nuts to a dry skillet. Toast 2-3 minutes over low heat until lightly toasted and fragrant.
- Cool completely then add pine nuts, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt and black pepper to a food processor. Pulse until well chopped.
- Add basil leaves and continue pulsing until combined.
- Drizzle olive oil into food processor while its running. Pulse until combined and desired consistency.Add parmesan cheese and give it another couple of pulses until combined. Taste and adjust for salt and pepper.
Notes
- Swap walnuts instead for pine nuts (or any nut you like)
- Go nut-free.
- Make in a food processor or blender.
- Replace some of the basil with spinach for added nutrition and brighter green color.