Pesto

Fall in love with Pesto. It's good for you!

Fresh, simple and delicious, this go-to classic is better than anything you can buy. Plus, homemade pesto ensures you are getting all the benefits from fresh, nutrition-dense ingredients.

What nutrients you say?

• Pesto gets its fat from olive oil and pine nuts, which are both high in healthy unsaturated fats. Pine nuts are nutrient dense and, along with the basil, make pesto a good source of many nutrients, including vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin K and many minerals.

But why this recipe?

• I've spent years experimenting with recipes to find my perfect pesto. It's a privilege to share with you now my favorite take on this classic recipe. It's not just for pasta anymore!

Step 1 Ingredients

Use the finest, freshest ingredients you can find, and I will assure you will amazed with the results.

• Basil - I used about 4oz.
• Parmesan cheese - time to splurge on the good stuff - avoid the stuff in a can! I used about 2/3 cup
• Pine nuts - 1/2 cup
• Garlic! I used 3 cloves. If you're not a huge fan of the brashness of raw garlic, start with less and add more to taste. Get fresh, not that jarred stuff!
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil - 1 cup - not 'virgin olive oil', not 'olive oil', not 'light olive oil.' Get the BEST you can afford. All olive oil is not created equal, and the difference will astound you.

Comments

[TheCritic]

Fantastic

[peacegirl613]

It is a bright green pesto in the picture.

[Anidion]

I was wondering how many leaves of basil would be needed?

Thanks

[T3h_Muffinator]

Hey Scooch! I may have skipped over it by accident, but how much olive oil should I add? J. and j. are planning on pesto-ing it up tomorrow for dinnars!

[scoochmaroo]

Oopsie poopsie! Good catch - it's one cup.

[maxstevenson]

Oh Scooch, I say! What a great instructable! Have you tried cilantro/arugula (rocket) pesto in the winter when there is not fresh basil? (maybe there is basil from the green house, but it is expensive). I love it on pizza. If you have vegan friends I substitute soy sauce for the cheese, it works!

[scoochmaroo]

Thanks! I actually have a distaste (see how polite I'm being?) for both cilantro and arugula, but I think boyf would definitely love it.

[Cartermarquis]

I know my parents make pesto from basil from their garden, and replace the pine nuts with cashews. Tastes delicious, though!

[scoochmaroo]

Yes! I also recommend walnuts for those who can't find/afford pine nuts.

[steveastrouk]

Our recipe is very similar to yours, but it has unsalted butter in it too. Is this is a North/South Italy variation I wonder ? We can't grow basil outside here, its not reliably warm enough, but we grow it hydroponically to the point where a single plant will create two full batches of Pesto ! Even the young leaves end up really big, but still tender. Steve

[scoochmaroo]

I would love to learn how to grow basil. I know it sounds totally easy, but I just can't seem to get the hang of it. I always kill the little sucker. Maybe I over-water? Maybe I prune it too much? I don't know, but I have had no success.

[eranox]

I love your instructables! Pesto is wonderfulness. As soon as I get back to the States, I'm mixing up a big batch. Never toasted my pine nuts before...can't wait to try it that way! Great 'ible!

[Ananand]

I LOVE pesto! Have to try this!

[t.rohner]

Pesto, i love it. I grow lots of basil every year. I sometimes just spread some on a freshly baked bread... Nice instructable

[dustinbikes]

lol....."I love basil" "i love parmesan" "i hate my blender" too funny

[catman529]

I might try this recipe; basil is one of my favorites and I always grow it from seed in my garden.

[lemonie]

Oooh lovely!

L

(I'm planning a pasta I'ble for the weekend, so I'll see if I can buy for pesto while I'm at it)