Pesto

"There is nothing better than making your own Pesto sauce. Cook time reflects the time it takes to make it by hand, if using a food processor it will only take 10 to 15 minutes."
 
Download
photo by Sackville photo by Sackville
photo by Sackville
Ready In:
35mins
Ingredients:
6
Yields:
5 oz
Advertisement

ingredients

Advertisement

directions

  • Holding the basil by it's stalks, gently swish the leaves in a bowl of cold water.
  • Pick off the leaves from the stalks and dry them n kitchen paper without bruising them.
  • Now you need to reduce the leaves and salt to a smooth puree-use a pestle and mortar or a food processor for this.
  • If using a pestle and mortar (wood is best) press and grind the basil against the sides, rather than bashing downwards, and work from the edges inward.
  • Salt will be your friend at this stage; it's grittiness helps you with the pounding.
  • Once you have the leaves gently but reasonably mushed, add the oil.
  • Begin to pour in the oil slowly and stir until you have a smooth creamy texture.
  • Now work in the garlic, add just enough so that it can be tasted without being over powering.
  • Tip in the pinenuts and cheese and blend in these.
  • Keep going until the mixture is smooth and no longer stringy.
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper to taste, bearing in mind that parmesan is quite salty and that raw garlic already gives a hot sensation in your mouth.

Questions & Replies

Got a question? Share it with the community!
Advertisement

Reviews

  1. I did not include the parm and this was still really good.
     
  2. A good, quick recipe. Thanks Marie.
     
  3. This was the first recipe I tried making with my mortar and pestle. It was hard work and I'm not sure I succeeded it getting it totally smooth -- more pounding needed -- but it did have a great taste. I made it with Thai basil. I made a quarter-size batch and that was enough to cover pasta generously for two people.
     
  4. Nice creamy mild pesto. Easy to make.
     
Advertisement

RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Find More Recipes