Kittencal's Perfect Pesto
Elevate your Italian-inspired cooking with Kittencal's Perfect Pesto—a quick and easy recipe bursting with fresh, vibrant flavors. This classic homemade pesto combines fragrant fresh basil leaves, toasted pine nuts, and rich Parmesan cheese, blended to perfection with extra-virgin olive oil and garlic for an irresistibly creamy texture. A touch of lemon juice adds a bright, zesty twist, making it the ideal complement to pasta, sandwiches, or appetizers. Ready in just 10 minutes, this versatile sauce is a sublime blend of simplicity and gourmet flair, perfect for busy weeknights or impressive meal prep. Make it ahead of time and savor the authentic taste of homemade pesto whenever you please!
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Ingredients
- 2 cups (packed) Fresh basil leaves
- 0.25 cup Pine nuts
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 2 large cloves Fresh garlic cloves
- 0.5 cup Extra-virgin olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Lemon juice (optional, for brightness)
Directions
Step 1
Begin by preparing your ingredients: wash and thoroughly dry the fresh basil leaves to prevent excess moisture in the pesto.
Step 2
In a dry skillet over medium heat, lightly toast the pine nuts for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning. This step enhances their nutty flavor. Set aside to cool.
Step 3
In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, toasted pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and garlic cloves. Pulse several times until the mixture is coarsely chopped.
Step 4
With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil in a steady stream. Stop occasionally to scrape down the sides with a spatula to ensure even mixing.
Step 5
Once the mixture reaches your desired consistency (smooth or slightly chunky), season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Step 6
If desired, add a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice to brighten the flavor and pulse a few more times to incorporate.
Step 7
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Add more Parmesan, salt, or olive oil if necessary to tweak flavor and texture.
Step 8
Transfer the pesto to an airtight container. If not using immediately, pour a thin layer of olive oil over the top to prevent discoloration.
Step 9
Serve your pesto tossed with pasta, spread on sandwiches, or as a dip. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze in ice cube trays for longer storage.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (328.4g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1813.7 |
| Total Fat 175.7g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 39.5g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 11.5g | |
| Cholesterol 95.2mg | 0% |
| Sodium 2998.3mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 16.6g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 3.3g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 1.3g | |
| Protein 52.3g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 1396.3mg | 0% |
| Iron 3.8mg | 0% |
| Potassium 524.4mg | 0% |
Source of Calories