Fresh Summer Basil Pesto
This bright and green sauce is the best way to keep that summer flavor in your kitchen all week long.
recipesbynani.comI just love how a simple bunch of basil can make any meal feel special. It is easily the star of the garden and it adds such a lovely peppery spark to everything from sandwiches to pasta.
If you have a window with some sun, you can even grow your own basil to have it ready whenever you need it. It is much cheaper than buying the little plastic packs at the store and it tastes so much better when it is freshly picked.
🧺 Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup pine nuts or walnuts
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
👩🍳Instructions
- 1
Wash your basil leaves and pat them very dry with a paper towel.
- 2
Put the basil leaves, cheese, nuts, and garlic into a food processor or blender.
- 3
Pulse the mixture a few times until everything is chopped up into small bits.
- 4
Turn the processor on low and slowly pour in the olive oil until the sauce is smooth.
- 5
Taste your pesto and add the salt and pepper to make the flavors pop.
- 6
Stir this into hot pasta, spread it on a sandwich, or spoon it over grilled chicken.
💡 Tips
To keep your pesto from turning brown, pour a thin layer of olive oil over the top before putting it in the fridge. You can also freeze it in ice cube trays for a quick burst of flavor later in the winter.
Made this recipe? Let us know how it went.
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