Sunday, July 19, 2009

Pesto Recipe

My friend Michele requested a simple pesto recipe.  Therefore, I searched through my own recipes to find one that would be both easy and adaptable to any menu.

Basil pesto is only one kind of pesto that can be made.  I have also used Oregano and a blend of Basil and Oregano and thrown in some fresh chives for a little more spicy pesto.  Pesto is largely associated with the Northern Italian region of Italy known as Liguria and can include a variety of different ingredients and used on bread, pasta, pizza and even used as a vegetable dip.

The following recipe is about as simple as it gets and the variations are vast (only limited to your imagination and taste buds):

  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed

  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • 1/2 cup Olive oil

  • 3 tablespoons pine nuts (I prefer mine toasted - some use them raw)

  • 3 garlic cloves


Place all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until you have a smooth paste. You might have to scrape the sides a couple of times to get everything well blended and smooth.

Please enjoy and by all means let me know what your imagination and taste buds create.

0 comments:

Post a Comment