Basil Pesto From Home Recipes

HOW TO EASILY MAKE PESTO FROM FRESH BASIL

Steps:

• Pick the leaves off of the stems. Discard any flower buds, stems or leaves that aren't in good shape. All we want are leaves; small, medium or large; as long as they are a healthy green, not brown or molding!
• Wash the basil. Just wash them in a large bowl under cold water, no soap!
• Chop the pine nuts and garlic in the food processor. If you don't have a food processor, you can use a blender.
• Add the basil leaves, lemon, and olive oil and chop. Stuff the basil leaves (in small batches) into the food processor and chop them into the garlic, olive oil and pine nuts.
• Chop the mix until it forms a thick, smooth paste.
• Add the grated Parmesan cheese to the food processor and blend! IMPORTANT NOTE: if you intend to freeze the pesto, leave the cheese OUT and add it when you thaw and use the pesto.
• Add 1 teaspoon of sugar or Splenda to the batch to bring the flavor alive. (Optional).
• The pesto will keep in refrigerator for about a week, or you can freeze it and it will last for 3 to 6 months.
• Serving? Most people serve it over pasta or use it to season fish and chicken dishes.

BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• Combine basil, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, and olive oil in a food processor. Pulse to combine. Add garlic, pine nuts, salt, and pepper. Pulse until mixture becomes smooth and blended.
• Pour mixture onto a large sheet of plastic wrap; roll into a tube shape and seal. Store in the refrigerator until needed.

BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• In a blender or food processor, combine garlic, salt and pine nuts; cover and process until finely chopped. Add basil and olive oil; puree until smooth. Add cheese and process just until combined. Serve with pasta or grilled meats of vegetables.

BASIL PESTO FROM HOME

Steps:

• Using your processor pulse the basil, garlic and pine nuts.
• Slowly add the olive oil in a constant stream while the food processor is on.
• Stop to scrape down the sides of the food processor with a rubber spatula.
• Add the grated Parmeasn cheese and lemon juice; pulse again until blended.
• Add salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• Store pesto in a jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for about a week, or in the freezer for about six months.
• Keep it looking fresh and green by covering the top with a thin layer of olive oil or with a sheet of plastic wrap directly on its surface; this will keep it from oxidizing and turning brown. If your pesto darkens in color, it will still taste good.
• I freeze it by dropping Tablespoons of it on a parchment paper, freezing it and storing in a zip lock bag in the freezer.

BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• Combine the basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add 1/2 cup of the oil and process until fully incorporated and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
• If using immediately, add all the remaining oil and pulse until smooth. Transfer the pesto to a large serving bowl and mix in the cheese.
• If freezing, transfer to an air-tight container and drizzle remaining oil over the top. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw and stir in cheese.

BASIL AND PARSLEY PESTO

Steps:

• Place basil, parsley, almonds and garlic in a small food processor; pulse until chopped. Add lemon zest, juice, honey and salt; process until blended. Continue processing while gradually adding oil in a steady stream. Add cheese; pulse just until blended., Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Freeze option: Transfer pesto to ice cube trays; cover and freeze pesto until firm. Remove from trays and transfer to a resealable plastic freezer bag; return to freezer. To use, thaw cubes in refrigerator 2 hours.

FRESH BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• Combine basil, oil, pine nuts, garlic, and lemon juice in a food processor or blender; puree until smooth. Stir in Pecorino Romano cheese, salt, and pepper.

BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• Put the basil, garlic, salt and 2 or 3 grinds of pepper in a food processor and process until the basil and garlic are finely chopped, about 15 seconds.
• With the machine runing, pour 1/4 cup of the olive oil down the feed tube in a slow, steady stream.
• Turn off the processor and add the Parmigiano.
• Process until the cheese is incorporated, about 20 seconds.
• With the machine running, slowly add the remaining 1/4 cup oil.
• Add the nuts and pulse until they're coarsely chopped.