Easy Homemade Basil Pesto
Ingredients
- 2-3 cups basil leaves
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- salt and pepper
- 1/2 cup shredded parmegiano reggiano or parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup pine nuts or walnuts
Instructions
- Place basil leaves, garlic and pine nuts(walnuts) in a food processor and pulse it several times.
- Scrape down everything and add parmesan. Give couple of pulse.
- With food processor running, slowly emulsify olive oil in slow stream. This will help keep the olive oil from separating.
- Stir in salt and pepper to taste.
- To store, refrigerate in a clean airtight container or toss it fresh on hot paste.
Notes
- Pine nuts are traditional to pesto but walnut works fine. I use walnuts as I always have them on hand.
- Basil pesto darkens when it comes in contact with air so it is important to store it in an air tight container. That way it will remain fresh and green in color.