For those of you that have tuned out thinking it is too difficult. Making pesto is the easiest thing ever. Seriously, it is! You just need a food processor and before you know it... voila! I make a ton and freeze it in small plastic containers (portion sized for one meal) and throw them in the freezer. If you don't have small containers then you can put in ice cube trays! If you do plan to freeze pesto- leave out the cheese until you add the pesto to pasta (or whatever). Cheese does not freeze well!
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan-Reggiano or Romano cheese
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup pine nuts or walnuts
- 3 medium sized garlic cloves, minced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
METHOD
1 Combine the basil in with the pine nuts, pulse a few times in a food processor. (If you are using walnuts instead of pine nuts and they are not already chopped, pulse them a few times first, before adding the basil.) Add the garlic, pulse a few times more.
2 Slowly add the olive oil in a constant stream while the food processor is on. Stop to scrape down the sides of the food processor with a rubber spatula. Add the grated cheese and pulse again until blended. Add a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Makes 1 cup.
I cannot wait until summer is here and the farmers market is open. The market always sells huge bunches of basil for cheap. I plan to make a boatload of pesto!!! Try it for yourself- it is delicious! Until next time...xoxo
