How to make Pesto Recipe

pine nuts

🥗Healthier: walnuts

💰Cheaper: sunflower seeds

Walnuts provide a similar texture and flavor at a lower cost.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast is lower in calories and adds a cheesy flavor.

Heat a medium pan over medium heat and add a handful of pine nuts.

Toast the pine nuts in the pan, tossing them frequently until they have golden brown flecks, being careful not to burn them.

Remove the toasted pine nuts from the pan and set them aside in a bowl.

Prepare ice water in a bowl and bring water to a rapid boil in a separate pot.

Once the water is boiling, plunge the fresh basil into the pot and press it down to blanch it, ensuring it comes back to a rolling boil.

After blanching, turn off the heat and transfer the basil to the ice water, stirring to cool it quickly.

Once cooled, remove the basil from the ice water and squeeze out as much water as possible, then set it aside.

Peel a couple of cloves of garlic from a bulb.

In a blender, combine the blanched basil, toasted pine nuts, peeled garlic cloves, grated parmesan cheese, and a good hit of black pepper.

While blending, slowly drizzle in extra virgin olive oil until the desired consistency is reached.

Taste the pesto and add salt as needed, mixing it gently to combine.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens