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Perfect is perfect on pasta and pizza, chicken and sandwiches. And fresh basil pesto is even better when you make it at home.
I have spent the last few weeks in France. The first week I stayed at a 13th century chateau. My room overlooked the kitchen garden. It was just outside the kitchen door and I loved how you could just take a few steps and clip a few fresh herbs to add to whatever you were making in the kitchen! There is nothing like cooking with fresh herbs.
One of my favorites, that I keep outside in my herb garden is basil. Not only do I like adding it to various dishes but when my plants get big and I have an overabundance of basil I make pesto!
Pesto is traditionally made with a combination of fresh basil, olive oil, Parmesan cheese and pine nuts. But I prefer to use walnuts in my homemade pesto recipe. Not only do I prefer the taste, but walnuts are a lot less expensive than pine nuts. That is what I call win-win!
You can always buy your pesto at the store, but it is so easy to make and tastes so much better! If you don’t have fresh basil growing in your garden, you can purchase it in your produce section.
This recipe is so easy because you just throw all of the ingredients into the food processor at the same time. And then hit pulse!
It is that quick and easy. It is then ready to use on all kinds of fun things.
If you don’t use all the pesto up right away a great way to save it for future use is to fill up an ice cube tray with the pesto, freeze it and then pop the cubes out and into a freezer bag. You can then just use them later in soup, pasta or any of the other recipes I just listed.
Use this recipe to make:
- Pesto Chicken
- Chicken Pesto Pizza
- Tomato Tart
- Flatbread Pizza
- Baked Ziti
- Basil Tomato Tart
- Pesto PastaÂ
Pesto Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 C fresh basil leaves removed from steams
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
- 1/2 C walnuts
- 1.5 C olive oil
- 1/2 C grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in blender except olive oil and blend on high until smooth.
- Add in olive oil until the pesto is the right consistency. Should run off spatula.
- It if is too thick add some extra olive oil.
Nutrition Facts:
janet says
Just wondered how long this stays fresh in the fridge? Thank you!
Leigh Anne says
At least a week
lisa says
This looks so fresh and yummy. I can’t wait to buy Trader Joe’s basil plants and make pesto! This just makes me really anxious for Spring! Have a great week!
Mary Anne says
oops – green beans
Mary Anne says
As a child freen Beans were the only green for you. A dinner one night you had a bean hanging out of your mouth and you said you were smoking it!
Crystal Sargent says
Hi there, just stopping by from the Blog Hop. I’m attempting to visit all of the blogs and become a new follower! I wish you much success on your blog! Come visit me sometime soon too! 🙂 Crystal http://www.dearblondie.blogspot.com
You should try the Cafe Rio Ranch…its green too! BTW So wish I had a Trader Joes here in Utah!