Fresh Basil Homemade Pesto
Fresh Basil Homemade Pesto is a delightful way to enhance everyday dishes such as pasta, pizza, and bruschetta.
Getting ready for summer, we headed to Bunnings to buy herbs, including basil. Basil gives a nice fresh taste to summer salads, and we love adding a few leaves to our salads daily.
Suddenly, we had so much basil that I knew we had to do something with it. I'd been wanting to make fresh basil pesto for a while, so this was the perfect opportunity.
What Is Pesto?
Pesto is a flavourful Italian sauce made from fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. It's typically prepared by blending these ingredients into a smooth, aromatic paste.
Pesto adds a burst of vibrant green colour and rich, herbaceous flavour to various dishes, such as pasta, sandwiches, salads, and pizzas. It's a simple and versatile sauce that makes lots of dishes taste extra delicious!
While cashew nuts aren't typically found in the original recipe, I added them to enhance the nutty and creamy texture. However, feel free to omit them if desired.
Homemade Pesto Ingredients!
Fresh Basil: Provides the signature herbaceous flavour and vibrant green colour to the pesto. It's the main ingredient that gives pesto its characteristic taste.
Pine Nuts (or Cashew Nuts): Adds a nutty flavor and creamy texture to the pesto. Pine nuts are traditional, but cashew nuts can be used for a slightly different taste and texture.
Garlic: Adds a pungent and savoury flavour to the pesto. It provides depth and complexity to the overall taste profile.
Parmesan Cheese: This contributes a salty and tangy flavour to the pesto while also providing a creamy texture. It enhances the richness of the sauce.
Salt: Enhances the flavours of the other ingredients and helps balance the overall taste of the pesto.
Olive Oil: Binds the ingredients together and adds richness and smoothness to the pesto. It also helps achieve the desired consistency.
Use Pesto In These Recipes!
Creamy Pesto Gnocchi: The Best Gnocchi Recipe!
Sundried Tomatoes Chicken Pasta
How To Make Pesto With Fresh Basil?
To prepare homemade pesto, start by gathering fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic cloves, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and extra virgin olive oil.
Toast the pine nuts until they're lightly golden and fragrant, and then peel and roughly chop the garlic cloves. In a blender or food processor, combine the toasted pine nuts, chopped garlic, and olive oil.
Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped and well combined. Next, add the fresh basil leaves to the blender and pulse until they're finely chopped, scraping down the sides as needed.
Once the basil is incorporated, add the grated Parmesan cheese and salt into the mixture. Blend until everything is well combined and forms a smooth paste. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Transfer the pesto to an airtight container. For longer storage, pour a thin layer of olive oil on top to preserve its vibrant green colour. Seal the container tightly and store it in the refrigerator.
How To Store The Homemade Basil Pesto?
To store homemade basil pesto, transfer it into an airtight container like a glass jar or plastic tub with a tight lid. Smooth the surface with a spoon and pour a thin layer of extra virgin olive oil over the top to prevent oxidation.
Seal the container tightly and store it in the refrigerator for up to one week. Before each use, check for signs of spoilage. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.
Enjoy your homemade pesto on pasta, sandwiches, or as a dip!
Experience the exquisite fusion of fresh basil, toasted pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese with our sensational homemade pesto recipe. Enhanced with aromatic garlic and extra virgin olive oil, this versatile blend promises to elevate every dish it graces.
Whether tossed with pasta, spread on sandwiches, or drizzled over grilled vegetables, this flavourful pesto adds a burst of Italian-inspired goodness to your culinary repertoire. With straightforward steps, create the perfect homemade pesto and infuse your dishes with gourmet flair.
- 3 cup fresh basil leaves (packed)
- 1/2 cup pine nuts
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup cashew nuts
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- Toast the Nuts
First, toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until lightly golden and fragrant. This will enhance their flavor. Let them cool before using.
- Prepare Ingredients:
Peel and roughly chop the garlic cloves.
- Blend:
In a food processor or blender, combine the toasted pine nuts, chopped garlic, and olive oil. Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped and well combined.
- Add Basil:
Add the fresh basil leaves to the blender or food processor. Pulse until the basil is finely chopped and incorporated into the mixture. You may need to scrape down the sides of the blender or food processor bowl occasionally.
- Add Parmesan and Salt:
Add the grated Parmesan cheese and salt to the mixture. Blend until everything is well combined and forms a smooth paste. Adjust seasoning to taste, if necessary.
- Store:
Transfer the pesto to an airtight container. If not using immediately, pour a thin layer of olive oil on top of the pesto to help preserve its vibrant green colour. Seal the container tightly and store it in the refrigerator.
