Fresh Basil Pesto Recipe - Fix A Bitter Pesto - Eat Simple Food

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.

Harvest the basil plant by clipping just above the node of the leaves.

Remove the bitter flowers and run hands along the stem to get all the leaves.

Place the basil leaves in a salad spinner to remove yellow leaves and bugs.

Add walnuts to the mixture (can substitute with pine nuts or pecans).

Add a block of Parmesan cheese and some grated Parmesan to the bowl.

Add lemon juice, salt, olive oil, and garlic to the mixture.

Pulse the mixture in the food processor for a chunky pesto, not running it continuously.

Taste the pesto and adjust with salt, olive oil, and lemon juice as needed.

If a smoother consistency is desired, use a blender instead of a food processor.

Freeze the pesto in little snack bags, laying them flat for easy portioning.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens