Best Classic Pesto
A vibrant and aromatic sauce from the Liguria region of Italy, made with fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for pasta, breads, or as a dip.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 cups fresh basil leaves, washed and thoroughly dried
- 2 large cloves garlic
- 0.25 cup pine nuts, lightly toasted
- 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
- 0.5 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 0.5 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
Preparation
- Start with the fresh basil leaves. Rinse them under cool water and pat them dry thoroughly.
- In a food processor, combine the basil leaves and garlic cloves. Pulse about eight times or until they are finely chopped.
- Add the lightly toasted pine nuts and kosher salt. With the food processor running on low speed, slowly drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil.
- Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula, then process again to get an even consistency.
- Add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and lemon juice. Pulse twice more to combine.
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Notes
Use fresh ingredients for better flavor. Toasting the nuts enhances the taste. Consider variations like nut-free or adding spinach for a different twist.