How to Make Basil Pesto Sauce
Welcome to the world of vibrant flavors! This is how to make the ultimate homemade pesto sauce in very simple and easy steps. Watch as we blend together fresh basil leaves, chopped walnuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and extra virgin olive oil, creating a luscious and aromatic green sauce. Perfect to use especially when making pesto pasta!
Ingredients
40 g fresh basil leaves, packed
75 g freshly grated Romano or Parmesan cheese (about 2½ oz)
50 g pine nuts (can sub chopped walnuts)
3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tbsp)
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
Salt & black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Place the basil leaves and pine nuts into the bowl of a food processor and pulse several times.
Add the garlic and Parmesan or Romano cheese then pulse several times more. Scrape down the sides of the food processor with a rubber spatula.
While the food processor is running, slowly add the olive oil in a steady small stream. Doing so helps the olive oil emulsify and keeps it from separating. Occasionally, stop to scrape down the sides of the food processor.
Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Notes
This makes about 1 cup of homemade pesto sauce.
A food processor is the best equipment for this method, but a blender also works.
Whether you want to dress up your pasta, drizzle it over grilled vegetables, or spread it on crusty bread, this homemade pesto will elevate any dish with its burst of herbaceous goodness. Get ready to unlock the secrets to making a classic Italian sauce that will leave everyone craving for more!