Easy Pesto Recipe
Introduction
This easy pesto recipe is a fresh and flavorful sauce perfect for pasta, sandwiches, or as a dip. Made with basic ingredients like basil, nuts, and parmesan, it comes together quickly and adds a burst of green goodness to any dish.
Ingredients
- 50g pine nuts or cashews
- Large bunch of basil, leaves picked
- 50g parmesan or vegetarian alternative
- 1 garlic clove, chopped
- 100ml olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Toast the nuts in a pan over low heat until golden and fragrant, then remove from the heat.
- Step 2: Place the toasted nuts, basil leaves, parmesan, chopped garlic, and olive oil into a mini chopper or large pestle and mortar.
- Step 3: Blitz or pound the ingredients together until you have a rough, slightly chunky sauce. Adjust olive oil to reach your desired consistency if needed.
Tips & Variations
- Try swapping pine nuts for walnuts or almonds for a different flavor.
- Use lemon juice or zest to add brightness and a touch of acidity.
- Add a pinch of chili flakes for some heat.
- If you don’t have a mini chopper, a food processor works just as well.
Storage
Store the pesto in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. To prevent browning, pour a thin layer of olive oil on top before sealing. Reheat gently or use it cold as a sauce or spread.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I freeze pesto?
Yes, pesto freezes well. Portion it into ice cube trays, freeze, then transfer to a sealed bag. Thaw as needed for up to 3 months.
What can I use if I don’t have parmesan?
You can use a vegetarian alternative or nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor if you want to keep it dairy-free.
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Easy Pesto Recipe
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: Makes approximately 150ml of pesto 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This easy pesto recipe combines toasted pine nuts or cashews with fresh basil, parmesan cheese, garlic, and olive oil to create a vibrant, flavorful sauce perfect for pasta, sandwiches, or as a dip. The method is straightforward, utilizing toasting and blending techniques for a fresh homemade condiment.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 50g pine nuts or cashews
- Large bunch of basil, leaves picked
- 50g parmesan or vegetarian alternative
- 1 garlic clove, chopped
- 100ml olive oil
Instructions
- Toast Nuts: Heat a pan over low heat and gently toast the pine nuts or cashews, stirring frequently until they are golden and fragrant. Be careful not to burn them as this will affect the flavor.
- Combine Ingredients: Transfer the toasted nuts to a mini chopper or place them in a large pestle and mortar along with the fresh basil leaves, chopped garlic, and parmesan cheese or vegetarian alternative.
- Blend or Pound: Blitz the mixture briefly in the mini chopper or pound with the pestle and mortar until you achieve a rough sauce with little texture remaining but not completely smooth.
- Add Olive Oil: While blending or pounding, gradually add the olive oil until the pesto reaches a loose, spreadable consistency.
- Store: Transfer the pesto to a clean jar or container and refrigerate. It will keep fresh for up to three days.
Notes
- Use either pine nuts or cashews depending on your preference or availability.
- Vegetarian parmesan alternatives work well and keep the flavor close to traditional pesto.
- Adjust olive oil quantity slightly if you prefer a thicker or thinner pesto.
- Store covered in the fridge and use within three days to maintain freshness.
- Pesto can be frozen in ice cube trays for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: easy pesto, homemade pesto, basil pesto, pine nut pesto, cashew pesto, Italian sauce
