Homemade Fragrant Basil Pesto
Aromatic Basil Pesto & Inspiring Basil Dishes
Here’s a simple recipe to make fragrant and delicious basil pesto at home. It captures the wonderful aroma of fresh basil, making it perfect for enhancing pastas, salads, breads, and more. If you’re not fond of basil’s strong flavor or lack the ingredients, you can easily substitute spinach for a milder, yet equally delightful pesto.
Ingredients for Fragrant Basil Pesto
- 90g fresh basil leaves
- 8 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 handful of nuts (pine nuts, walnuts, almonds, etc.)
- 80g Grana Padano cheese (or Parmigiano Reggiano)
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled
- 1 tsp salt
- A pinch of freshly ground black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare 90g of fresh basil leaves. Wash them thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or impurities. If pesticides were used, rinsing them multiple times is highly recommended for safety.
Step 2
Now, let’s trim the basil. We only want to use the leaves, so carefully remove all the stems, as they can have a very strong and fibrous texture. Using only the leaves will result in a smoother and more flavorful pesto.
Step 3
Place the cleaned basil leaves (90g) into a food processor or blender.
Step 4
Next, add the remaining ingredients for the pesto to the processor. This includes 80g of Grana Padano cheese for rich flavor, a handful of your favorite nuts (like pine nuts, walnuts, or almonds) for a lovely texture, 4 peeled garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon of salt, and a pinch of freshly ground black pepper.
Step 5
Secure the lid and blend all the ingredients until smooth and well combined. Gradually drizzle in the 8 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil while blending, until you reach your desired consistency. And voilà! Your fresh basil pesto is ready. It’s as simple as putting everything in and blending!
Step 6
To store your homemade basil pesto, transfer it into an airtight container, preferably a glass jar. Seal the lid tightly and refrigerate. Properly stored, it can maintain its freshness for about 1-2 weeks.
Step 7
The possibilities are endless with this delicious pesto! For instance, you can spread a generous layer of pesto onto pizza dough, add your favorite toppings, and bake to create a fantastic basil pizza. It’s also a wonderful sauce for pasta, a delightful spread for crostini, or a vibrant dressing for salads. Enjoy adding a burst of fresh basil flavor to all your culinary creations!
