Fresh Basil Pesto Recipe
- Prep time:15 minutes
- Yield:Makes 1 cup
Basil pesto darkens when exposed to air, so to store, cover tightly, pour some olive oil on top of the pesto and not allowing the pesto to have contact with air. The pesto will stay greener longer that way.
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed (can sub half the basil leaves with baby spinach)
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Romano (recommended) or Parmesan-Reggiano cheese (about 2 ounces)
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup pine nuts (can sub chopped walnuts)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced (about 3 teaspoons)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Special equipment needed:A food processor
Method
1 Place the basil leaves and nuts into the bowl of a food processor and pulse a several times.
Add the garlic and Parmesan or Romano cheese and pulse several times more. Scrape down the sides of the food processor with a rubber spatula.
2 While the food processor is running, slowly add the olive oil in a steady small stream. Adding the olive oil slowly, while the processor is running, will help it emulsify and help keep the olive oil from separating. Occasionally stop to scrape down the sides of the food processor.
Stir in some salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Boil the pasta in abundant boiling water, if you like put in the water, before the pasta some small diced potato and green bibs cut in 1 cm length (this is the original recipe from Genova).
Strain the pasta and mix with the sauce. Add some Pecorino and pine nuts on top and some oil if necessary.