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
Scale
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
