Description
Ina Garten’s basil pesto delivers fresh Mediterranean flavors with classic Italian ingredients. Pine nuts, garlic, parmesan cheese, and fresh basil create a simple yet delectable sauce you can savor with pasta, sandwiches, or grilled vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
- 5 cups (1.2 liters) basil leaves, fresh
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) olive oil, good
- 1 cup (240 ml) Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 3 tbsps (45 ml) garlic, chopped (9 cloves)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) pignoli (pine nuts)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) walnuts
- 1 tsp (5 ml) kosher salt
- 1 tsp (5 ml) black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
- Nut and Garlic Preparation: Pulse walnuts, pine nuts, and peeled garlic cloves in a food processor until finely and uniformly chopped, creating a foundational texture for the pesto.
- Herb and Seasoning Integration: Add fresh basil leaves, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper to the processor, allowing the herbs and seasonings to meld and intensify the flavor profile.
- Oil Emulsification: Slowly stream extra-virgin olive oil into the running food processor, blending until the mixture transforms into a smooth, cohesive sauce with a vibrant green hue.
- Cheese Incorporation: Introduce freshly grated Parmesan cheese and continue processing, ensuring complete integration and maintaining a creamy, consistent texture that balances the herbal and nutty elements.
- Final Refinement and Storage: Taste and fine-tune seasonings as needed, then transfer to an airtight container. For immediate consumption, serve at room temperature; alternatively, preserve by covering with a thin olive oil layer and refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for 3 months.
Notes
- Nut Selection Matters: Choose fresh, high-quality walnuts and pine nuts for the most vibrant and rich flavor profile in your pesto.
- Pulse Precisely: Short, controlled pulses in the food processor prevent over-processing, maintaining a textured and rustic consistency.
- Cheese Quality Counts: Use freshly grated Parmesan for maximum flavor depth and creamy texture, avoiding pre-packaged grated cheese.
- Preservation Technique: Seal pesto with a thin olive oil layer to prevent oxidation and maintain bright green color when storing in refrigerator or freezer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 211
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 260 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg