Best Classic Pesto
A vibrant and flavorful pesto made with fresh basil, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, perfect for enhancing a variety of dishes.
Ingredients
Pesto Ingredients
- 3 cups packed fresh basil leaves, washed and thoroughly dried Use high-quality, fresh basil for the best flavor.
- 2 large cloves garlic Pungent garlic adds depth to the flavor.
- 0.25 cup pine nuts, lightly toasted Toasting enhances the nuttiness.
- 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
- 0.5 cup extra-virgin olive oil Drizzle slowly to emulsify the ingredients.
- 0.5 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese Use freshly grated for better flavor.
- 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice Adjust to taste for acidity.
Instructions
Preparation
- Wash and dry the fresh basil leaves thoroughly.
- Add the basil and garlic cloves to a food processor and pulse about eight times until finely chopped.
Mixing
- Add the lightly toasted pine nuts and kosher salt to the food processor.
- While the processor is running on low, slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil through the chute.
- Stop and scrape down the sides with a spatula to ensure all ingredients are mixed well.
Final Touches
- Add freshly grated Parmesan cheese and lemon juice, then pulse just twice to combine.
- Taste and adjust salt and lemon juice as needed.
Serving
- Toss with freshly cooked pasta, spread on sandwiches, or use it as a flavorful dip.
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Notes
Store in an airtight container with a drizzle of olive oil on top to prevent browning. Freeze portions in ice cube trays for later use.