Easy Basil Pesto Recipe
🌿 Introduction
This Easy Basil Pesto recipe from lovewithrecipes.com is a quick and delightful way to elevate your meals. Whether you need a spread for sandwiches or a sauce for pasta, this pesto delivers vibrant flavors in just minutes.
- Cook Time: 1 minute
- Prep Time: 4 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Spreads
- Keywords: Lunch/Snacks, < 15 Mins, Small Appliance
- Servings: 6
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Fresh basil leaves | 2 cups |
| Parmesan cheese | 1/4 cup |
| Pine nuts | 3 tablespoons |
| Garlic | 1 clove |
| Salt | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Extra virgin olive oil | 1/3 cup |
Nutritional Information per Serving
- Calories: 156.8
- Fat: 16.1g
- Saturated Fat: 2.6g
- Cholesterol: 3.7mg
- Sodium: 258.5mg
- Carbohydrates: 1.5g
- Fiber: 0.7g
- Sugars: 0.2g
- Protein: 2.6g
Recipe Instructions
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Preparation: Gather all the ingredients – fresh basil leaves, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, garlic, salt, and extra virgin olive oil.
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Blending: In the blender jar, combine the fresh basil leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, peeled garlic clove, and salt.
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Processing: Puree the ingredients on high speed until they are finely chopped and blended.
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Adding Oil: With the blender running on low speed, slowly drizzle the extra virgin olive oil through the feed tube.
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Blending to Smoothness: Continue processing until a smooth and creamy paste forms. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides of the blender jar occasionally to ensure even blending.
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Storage Tips: Transfer the prepared pesto to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use. For longer storage, freeze the pesto in small quantities in ice cube trays and transfer to freezer-safe bags or containers for easy use in future recipes.
Serving Suggestions
- Pasta: Toss the pesto with cooked pasta for a quick and flavorful meal.
- Sandwiches: Spread it on sandwiches or wraps for added zing.
- Dips: Serve as a dip for fresh vegetables or breadsticks.
- Pizza: Use as a sauce base for homemade pizzas.
This Easy Basil Pesto recipe is not only versatile but also a great way to preserve the freshness of basil when it’s in season. Enjoy the vibrant flavors of this homemade pesto in various dishes throughout the year!
