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Pesto Sauce Recipe (Basil Pesto)

Pesto Sauce is easy to make and comes together in just 10 minutes if you have all the ingredients in hand. It goes great with everything right from pasta to salads to sandwiches to pizzas. Pesto Sauce - Learn to make it the classic way with basil, pine nuts, Parmesan and olive oil with the help of step by step pictures and video.
Prep Time15 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
AuthorSharmilee J

Ingredients

  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves tightly packed
  • 1/3 cup parmesan cheese
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1/3 cup pine nuts
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper powder
  • 1/2 lemon
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  • Toast 1/3 cup pine nuts until golden and set aside to cool. Toasting nuts brings out the nutty flavor.
  • To a food processor or blender add toasted pine nuts along with 2 cloves garlic.
  • Clean and rinse 2 cups basil leaves well. Add the basil leaves along with salt to taste.
  • Add 1/2 teaspoon pepper powder.
  • Add 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese.
  • Add lemon juice from 1/2 lemon.
  • Blend it and add olive little by little while blending. Use 1/3 cup olive oil add it in 3-4 parts.
  • Blend it until coarse not too smooth.
  • The consistency is slightly coarse.
  • Fresh basil pesto sauce is ready!

Video

Notes

  • Basil - Use fresh sweet basil or thai basil.
  • Nuts - Pine nuts are a bit expensive, also not available everywhere so you can replace it with walnuts or cashews or almonds.
  • Parmesan - You can replace parmesan cheese with processed grated cheese too but the taste and flavor slightly varies.
  • Olive oil - Do not compromise on olive oil as it gives the pesto the perfect consistency. Do not add olive oil along with other ingredients, add it wile blending to get the desired consistency.
  • Consistency - The pesto consistency can be altered according to preference and liking. It can be chunky or smooth.
  • Color - The color of the pesto is vibrant green. Adding lemon helps to retain the green color.
  • Blanching - You can even blanch the basil leaves and grind.
Nutrition Facts
Pesto Sauce Recipe (Basil Pesto)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 1089 Calories from Fat 1008
% Daily Value*
Fat 112g172%
Saturated Fat 18g113%
Polyunsaturated Fat 23g
Monounsaturated Fat 64g
Cholesterol 23mg8%
Sodium 615mg27%
Potassium 395mg11%
Carbohydrates 13g4%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 19g38%
Vitamin A 701IU14%
Vitamin C 30mg36%
Calcium 418mg42%
Iron 4mg22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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