Best Basic Pesto Recipes

BASIC PESTO SAUCE

Steps:

• Pulse pine nuts in a food processor until they're completely broken down. Stop to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula from time to time. Add olive oil and garlic and pulse until garlic is finely chopped.
• Chop basil very roughly - just run a knife through it once or twice to cut most of the leaves into halves or thirds - then add to food processor. Pulse, stopping every 15 seconds to push the leaves down with a rubber spatula, until basil is entirely worked into the oil. Pulse for another few seconds, and then stop to prevent turning the basil brown.
• Pour pesto base into a bowl and add grated cheese and salt. Stir to combine, then taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Leave the sauce thick to toss with cooked pasta and a little pasta cooking water. To use the pesto as a garnish for grilled or roasted meats, fish and vegetables, thin it out with 2 to 3 more tablespoons olive oil until it's the consistency of a loose paste. To store leftovers, pour a little more olive oil over the pesto to cover. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to three days.

BASIC BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• Place pine nuts in a single layer in a dry skillet over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant and golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer immediately to a plate to stop the cooking process; allow to cool, about 5 minutes.
• Combine pine nuts, basil, and garlic in the bowl of a food processor; pulse until blended. Pour olive oil in slowly, with the processor running on low speed, until mixture is smooth. Add Parmesan cheese and process just until combined.

BASIC PESTO

Steps:

• Combine basil leaves, 3 tablespoons olive oil, and garlic in the bowl of a food processor; pulse until basil is chopped. Add Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, salt, and pepper; pulse to combine. Pour in remaining olive oil slowly, with the processor running, until pesto has reached the desired consistency.

BASIC PESTO

Steps:

• Combine basil leaves, pine nuts or walnuts and garlic in a food processor and process until very finely minced.
• With the machine running slowly dribble in the oil and process until the mixture is smooth.
• Add the cheese and process very briefly, just long enough to combine. Store in refrigerator or freezer.

BASIC BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• On a cutting board, sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon salt over garlic and roughly chop. Using a flat side of the knife blade, crush mixture into a thick paste. Add to a food processor with pine nuts, basil, and 1 tablespoon oil. Pulse until ingredients are finely chopped. With machine running, add remaining oil in a slow, steady stream. Add Parmesan and pulse to combine. Season with salt and pepper.

BASIC PESTO

Steps:

• Put all ingredients in a blender; blend until nuts are ground. Pesto is best to not be completely smooth; a little texture is good. Add salt to taste.
• Adjust amounts to your own taste. You can use other herbs besides basil; cilantro, parsley and mint are good too. Substituted walnuts or almonds in place of the pine nuts, as they can be expensive. Add a dash of salt to taste.
• Pesto keeps very well and is delicious the next day and it freezes well, too.

BASIC PESTO

Steps:

• Combine the basil, Parmesan, pine nuts, parsley, oregano and garlic in a food processor or blender and process until finely ground. With the machine running, slowly add the olive oil. Let stand for 5 minutes before using. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Serve with fresh pasta.

BASIC PESTO

Steps:

• Combine the basil 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. (You can use a mortar and pestle instead if you'd like.)
• 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.
• Pulse again until blended.
• Add a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.