How To Make Fresh Basil Pesto.

pine nuts

🥗Healthier: walnuts

💰Cheaper: sunflower seeds

Walnuts are more affordable and provide a similar texture.

Parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: Grana Padano

Nutritional yeast is dairy-free and lower in calories.

Prune basil from the garden, selecting a large amount for pesto.

Remove the leaves from the stems and rinse them to clean.

Use a salad spinner to dry the basil leaves, spinning them until dry.

Measure out 4 cups of dried basil leaves and place them into a measuring cup.

Toast 1/2 cup of pine nuts until slightly brown on the edges.

Chop fresh garlic and measure out 4 teaspoons, adding it to the food processor with the pine nuts.

Pulse the pine nuts and garlic in the food processor until finely chopped.

Add the 4 cups of basil leaves to the food processor and puree until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.

Slowly drizzle in extra virgin olive oil while the processor is running until the mixture is smooth and combined.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens