3cupsbasil leavesfresh, loosely packed, rinsed and dry
½cupextra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Over medium heat, toast pine nuts in a pan on stove top for a few minutes. Set aside to cool down.
Pulse together pine nuts, minced garlic, cheese and basil leaves in a food processor until coarsely chopped.
Drizzle the olive oil while the food processor is whirling until smooth and thick, approximately 30-60 seconds.
Season to taste.
Video
Notes
1 serving=1 tablespoon
When toasting the pine nuts, make sure you move the pan around and stay close. You do not want your perfectly toasted pine nuts to become burnt....believe me when I tell you it takes seconds.
Measure the fresh, whole basil leaves by packing them loosely in your measuring cup. Be sure to remove the stems.
How to store pesto: If not using immediately, transfer to a sterile small jar, top with a layer of olive oil and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The addition of ½ teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice helps the basil retain its green color.Food safety is an issue anytime garlic is immersed in an oxygen-free environment, like pesto. To avoid any potential of botulism, use or refrigerate pesto immediately and use it within 3 days. [source]Freezing pesto: If you are planning to freeze the pesto, there are a few modifications to the recipe.First, make sure you blanch the fresh basil leaves. This simple process helps prevent the basil from turning brown. Simply add fresh basil to boiling water. Boil for 5-10 seconds. Remove basil and immediately plunge in an ice water bath. Place on tea towels, pat dry and proceed with the recipe.Second, for best results, omit the addition of cheese at the time of processing your pesto. You will get a better product by adding the cheese to your pesto when it is defrosted. Third, use the ice cube method to freeze the pesto. This allows you to drizzle a little olive oil over the top, thus preventing contact with air and preventing discoloration. When frozen, place the pesto cubes in an airtight container or Ziploc freezer bag and use them within 1 month for the best quality. Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is just a rough estimate and variations can occur depending on the specific ingredients used.