Homemade Basil Pesto Recipe
I love using that fresh summer basil from my herb garden to make this easy and delicious basil pesto recipe.
Pesto is an iconic Italian sauce. The name “pesto” comes from “pestare” which means to crush and pound. Pesto sauce was traditionally made by crushing ingredients in a mortar and pestle. This pesto recipe is made by “crushing” basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, and parmesan cheese in a food processor or blender.
Basil is a wonderful herb with aromatic leaves. You can grow herbs pretty easily. Especially basil. Here are pictures of my outdoor herb garden that I planted in 2 raised beds from Amazon. I loved this raised bed, it was very easy to put together, which was great!
My basil plant grew well in the raised garden.
I have also grown it inside in my mason jar hydroponic herb garden.
This recipe only uses a couple ingredients and is very simple and fast to make.
Elevate your dishes with homemade basil pesto! Follow this simple recipe to create a flavorful, fresh pesto perfect for pasta, and sandwiches, grilled meats and seafood, eggs, soup. spread it on toast, use it as a dip, and put it on everything! This fresh Basil Pesto is so bright and delicious.
This great recipe is made with just the right blend of fresh basil leaves, toasted pine nuts, garlic, and parmesan cheese. It’s amazingly flavorful!
Ingredients for Homemade Basil Pesto Recipe
- 1/3 cup Pine Nuts
- 2 cups Basil Leaves, packed
- 1/3 cup Grated Parmesan
- 1/3 cup Olive Oil
- 1 tsp Minced Garlic
- 1/4 tsp Sea Salt
- Optional: 2 tsp Lemon Juice
Steps on Preparing Homemade Basil Pesto Recipe
Place the pine nuts in a food processor.
Process the nuts until fine.
Add the remaining ingredients to the food processor.
Mix the ingredients together before processing.
Pulse intermittently, scraping sides occasionally with a spoon or spatula, until the desired consistency is reached.
Basil pesto can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week or frozen for longer periods. For short-term storage, refrigerate in an airtight container, ideally with a layer of olive oil on top to prevent browning due to oxidation. For long-term storage, freezing is recommended. Pesto can be frozen in ice cube trays for convenient portioning or in jars, ensuring to leave some headspace.
Enjoy!
This basil pesto is so delicious and can be used in so many ways!
For more of my favorite recipes, plus posts about other homestead-type activities, such as gardening, canning, and raising chickens, go to my website at www.HawkPointHomestead.com. For updates, please follow my Facebook page at Hawk Point Hobby Homestead.
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Homemade Basil Pesto Recipe
Elevate your dishes with homemade basil pesto! Follow this simple recipe to create a flavorful, fresh pesto perfect for pasta, and sandwiches, grilled meats and seafood, eggs, soup. spread it on toast, use it as a dip, and put it on everything! This fresh Basil Pesto is so bright and delicious.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup Pine Nuts
- 2 cups Basil Leaves, packed
- 1/3 cup Grated Parmesan
- 1/3 cup Olive Oil
- 1 tsp Minced Garlic
- 1/4 tsp Sea Salt
- Optional: 2 tsp Lemon Juice
Instructions
1. Place the pine nuts in a food processor.
2. Process the nuts until fine.
3. Add the remaining ingredients to the food processor.
4. Mix the ingredients together before processing.
5. Pulse intermittently, scraping sides occasionally with a spoon or spatula, until the desired consistency is reached.
6. Basil pesto can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week or frozen for longer periods. For short-term storage, refrigerate in an airtight container, ideally with a layer of olive oil on top to prevent browning due to oxidation. For long-term storage, freezing is recommended. Pesto can be frozen in ice cube trays for convenient portioning or in jars, ensuring to leave some headspace.
