🌿 Basil Pesto Recipe 🌿
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Description:
This Basil Pesto recipe is a delightful twist on the classic, calling for a quick blanching of the basil leaves before blending with the usual pesto ingredients. The result is a vibrant, fresh pesto that can be enjoyed immediately or stored in the fridge for several days. You can even freeze it for future use! The cook time might be short, but the flavors are big and bold, perfect for a variety of dishes. 🍝
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 4 cups | Fresh basil leaves |
| 1 clove | Garlic |
| – | Olive oil |
| 1/2 cup | Pine nuts |
| 2/3 cup | Parmesan cheese |
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 574.2
- Total Fat: 60.7g
- Saturated Fat: 9.8g
- Cholesterol: 11mg
- Sodium: 194.3mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 3.6g
- Dietary Fiber: 1.9g
- Sugars: 0.4g
- Protein: 6.6g
Keywords:
Savory Pies, Spreads, One Dish Meal, Lunch/Snacks, Cheese, Fruit, Nuts, Summer, Savory, Brunch, < 30 Mins, Beginner Cook, Small Appliance, Easy
Instructions:
Step 1: Blanch the Basil
- Put the fresh basil leaves inside a colander or sieve.
- Place the sieve with basil into a large pot of boiling water.
- Blanch the basil for 15 seconds to soften it.
- Remove the sieve and basil from the boiling water.
- Quickly transfer the basil to an ice bath to stop the cooking process.
- Let the basil cool in the ice bath.
- Drain the basil well, ensuring it’s dry.
Step 2: Prepare the Pesto
- Once the basil is cooled and drained, squeeze out any excess water using your hands.
- Roughly chop the blanched basil leaves and place them into a blender.
- Add the garlic clove, olive oil, and pine nuts to the blender.
- Blend the ingredients for about 30 seconds until you get a vibrant green color and a smooth consistency.
- Next, add the grated Parmesan cheese to the blender.
- Pulse the blender a few times to incorporate the cheese into the mixture.
- Continue pulsing until the pesto reaches your desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. You can add a pinch of salt and pepper if desired.
Step 3: Serve and Enjoy!
- Your delicious Basil Pesto is now ready to be enjoyed!
- Use it as a pasta sauce, spread it on sandwiches, or drizzle it over grilled meats or vegetables.
- Store any leftover pesto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- You can also freeze the pesto in ice cube trays for easy portioning.
- When ready to use frozen pesto, simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.
Chef’s Tips:
- For a nuttier flavor, toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant before adding them to the blender.
- Customize your pesto by adding a handful of fresh spinach or arugula leaves for extra freshness and color.
- If you prefer a smoother pesto, add a bit more olive oil during blending.
- Don’t limit yourself to pasta! This pesto is fantastic as a dip for crusty bread, a sauce for homemade pizza, or a topping for bruschetta.
Now, go ahead and savor the vibrant flavors of this Basil Pesto recipe! It’s sure to become a staple in your kitchen, adding a burst of freshness to any dish. 🌿✨
