Pesto from the Garden
Capture the vibrant essence of summer with this homemade "Pesto from the Garden" recipe—a celebration of fresh, seasonal flavors straight from your backyard. This easy, no-cook sauce combines fragrant basil leaves, rich extra virgin olive oil, and salty Parmesan cheese for a classic base, while the addition of toasted pine nuts and a splash of zesty lemon juice creates a perfectly balanced, nutty, and tangy flavor profile. Ready in just 10 minutes, this versatile pesto is ideal for tossing with pasta, spreading on sandwiches, or serving as a dip for crusty bread. With its vibrant green color and fresh aroma, it’s the perfect way to elevate your meals while showcasing the taste of garden-fresh ingredients.
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Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 0.5 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.333 cup pine nuts
- 2 cloves garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
Step 1
Wash the fresh basil leaves thoroughly and pat them dry using a clean kitchen towel.
Step 2
In a dry skillet over medium heat, lightly toast the pine nuts for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool.
Step 3
Peel the garlic cloves and set them aside.
Step 4
In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, toasted pine nuts, peeled garlic cloves, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
Step 5
Pulse the ingredients several times until they are roughly combined.
Step 6
While the processor is running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Continue blending until the mixture becomes smooth and emulsified. Stop and scrape down the sides as needed.
Step 7
Taste the pesto and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as desired.
Step 8
Transfer the pesto to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to one week, or freeze it for longer storage. Enjoy with pasta, sandwiches, or as a dip!
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (261.5g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1449.1 |
| Total Fat 155.1g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 26.2g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 15.3g | |
| Cholesterol 40mg | 0% |
| Sodium 1862.3mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 10.6g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 3.3g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 2.0g | |
| Protein 23.9g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 511.8mg | 0% |
| Iron 4.0mg | 0% |
| Potassium 443.1mg | 0% |
Source of Calories