Basil Pesto from Home

"This is my Pesto recipe that I have been making for years with basil from my herb garden; now it it from my containers on my patio.I used in many recipes always ready for me in the freezer."
 
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photo by Sageca photo by Sageca
photo by Sageca
Ready In:
15mins
Ingredients:
8
Yields:
1 cup
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ingredients

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directions

  • Using your processor pulse the basil, garlic and pine nuts.
  • 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 Parmeasn cheese and lemon juice; pulse again until blended.
  • Add salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  • Store pesto in a jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for about a week, or in the freezer for about six months.
  • Keep it looking fresh and green by covering the top with a thin layer of olive oil or with a sheet of plastic wrap directly on its surface; this will keep it from oxidizing and turning brown. If your pesto darkens in color, it will still taste good.
  • I freeze it by dropping Tablespoons of it on a parchment paper, freezing it and storing in a zip lock bag in the freezer.

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Reviews

  1. This was excellent! A 5 star for sure. The salt was a perfect addition. I used 2 cups of basil, and packed it firmly not super tight. It worked perfectly. I used raw hazelnuts, but otherwise followed the recipe exactly. I wouldn't change a thing. Coworkers wiped out a full single batch in about 5 minutes. Good thing I made a double batch. Robbins EVOO from Solvang, CA was the perfect oil. It was deliciously fruity and fresh. Thanks for posting this.
     
  2. A reluctant three stars for this pesto. I used a fully packed 2C basil - right out of the garden. Used a smidge extra pine nuts all other ingredients to recipe list. DH and I both agree tooo strong on the basil front - coming from a tried and true basil lover. Am thinking better measurement might be less basil - or less densly packed .... after all - with these ingredients what's not to like so I'm thinking it must have been just tooo much basil packed into my 2 C measure. Recommend lightly packing basil to just about 2C measure....Maybe should do the Alton Brown measure by weight with the basil next time...
     
  3. Delicious pesto! The only thing I did different was to add 1 Tbsp. of lemon juice. This pesto has a nice, thick consistency and the flavor is outstanding. I like the addition of salt and pepper, as I believe it really enhances the flavor. My basil was a small-leafed variety so it took forever to pick the leaves off the stems. Next year I will plant a larger leafed basil. Other than that, it couldn't be simpler to make.
     
  4. Just made a double batch. Yummy! Thanks for sharing this simple but satisfiying recipe.
     
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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

I love to cook, read recipe books and food magazines,spend time in kitchen stores, grocery stores, gourmet shops, learning new cooking techniques, trying new kitchen gadgets,tasting exotic foods,enjoying a wonderful meal. I've always had a herb garden; now I have containers on my patio with my must have herbs. It seems, everything tastes better with fresh herbs!
 
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