Easy Pesto Recipe
A simple and fresh pesto recipe featuring toasted pine nuts or cashews blended with basil, parmesan, and garlic, perfect for adding vibrant flavor to pasta, sandwiches, or as a dip. This easy homemade pesto can be quickly prepared using a mini chopper or pestle and mortar for a rustic texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 150ml of pesto 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Nuts
- 50g pine nuts or cashews
Herbs
- Large bunch of basil, leaves picked
Cheese
- 50g parmesan or vegetarian alternative
Other
- 1 garlic clove, chopped
- 100ml olive oil
Instructions
- Toast the nuts: Heat a dry pan over low heat and gently toast the pine nuts or cashews until they become fragrant and slightly golden, stirring frequently to avoid burning. Remove from heat and let them cool.
- Combine ingredients: Place the toasted nuts, picked basil leaves, chopped garlic, and parmesan cheese into a mini chopper or large pestle and mortar.
- Blend or pound: Blitz the ingredients briefly in the mini chopper or pound using the mortar and pestle until a rough sauce forms, gradually adding the olive oil to bind the pesto and achieve your desired consistency.
- Store properly: Transfer the pesto into a clean airtight container and refrigerate. It will keep fresh for up to three days.
Notes
- You can substitute pine nuts with cashews for a different nutty flavor.
- Vegetarian alternative cheese can be used instead of parmesan for dietary preferences.
- Use fresh basil leaves for the best flavor and vibrant color.
- To store longer, cover the pesto surface with a thin layer of olive oil to prevent oxidation.
- Add salt or lemon juice to taste if desired.
Keywords: pesto, homemade pesto, basil sauce, Italian sauce, easy pesto recipe, pine nuts, cashew pesto, vegetarian sauce
Find it online: https://dylangranv.com/easy-pesto-recipe/
