How to Make Classic Basil Pesto

Ingredients

2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed (can sub half the basil leaves with baby spinach)
1/2 cup freshly grated Romano or Parmesan-Reggiano cheese (about 2 ounces)
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil.
1/3 cup pine nuts (can sub chopped walnuts)
3 garlic cloves, minced (about 3 teaspoons)

How do you make basil pesto from scratch?
Can I use any basil for pesto?
What part of Basil do you use for pesto?
What can I do with a jar of basil pesto?
What oil is best for pesto?
Why is pesto bad for you?
How much basil do you put in pesto?
How many basil plants do I need for pesto?
What can I use if I dont have pesto?
Why is my basil pesto bitter?
What do I do with all this basil?
Should you wash basil before making pesto?

How do you make basil pesto from scratch?

Ingredients

2 cups fresh basil leaves*
1/3 cup pine nuts*
1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese.
3 cloves garlic (roasted or fresh)
1/3 cup olive oil.
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice.
1/2 teaspoon salt.
freshly ground black pepper, to taste.

Can I use any basil for pesto?

The Italians are onto a good thing, with basil varieties such as the classic 'Genovese' a staple of real, home cooking. Fragrant, near-glossy dark-green leaves make the best pesto, but look out too for red and crinkle-leaved varieties and the bushy Greek basil, whose tiny leaves pack a tasty punch.

What part of Basil do you use for pesto?

Make sure you only use the basil leaves for the pesto, and not the stems. The stems are often tough and have a bitter flavor. Using the authentic Italian Parmigiano Reggiano cheese is very important for a traditional flavor and pesto.

What can I do with a jar of basil pesto?

Here are a few ideas to try:

Mix with (or drizzle over) steamed or roasted vegetables.
Pair it with bread and cheese in this Pesto Pull-Apart Bread like The Cooking Jar did.
Stir a spoonful or two into mashed potatoes.
Toss it with veggies and bake, like Love & Lemons did with this Crispy Baked Zucchini.

What oil is best for pesto?

The point of a pesto is about plenty of olive oil, nuts, and cheese. The point of a pesto is, well, fat.

Why is pesto bad for you?

Pesto is a delicious sauce often made from basil, olive oil, garlic, Parmesan cheese and pine nuts. ... Ingredients such as the olive oil and pine nuts are higher in calories, because they have a high fat content. However, what makes this food considered “healthy” is that the fat is unsaturated.

How much basil do you put in pesto?

Ingredients

4 cups lightly packed fresh basil leaves.
1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted*
3 garlic cloves, crushed.
1/2 teaspoon salt.
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper.
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil.
3/4 cup (3 oz.) freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

How many basil plants do I need for pesto?

So, how much basil do you need to grow to make a batch of pesto to feed a family of four? Generally speaking, a healthy basil plant that's more than a foot tall (and wide) should give you the required amount.

What can I use if I dont have pesto?

Our favourite pesto recipes…

Wild garlic. Put your foraging finds to good use and whizz up wild garlic with pine nuts, lemon and Parmesan for a fresh new take on the traditional pesto. ...
Watercress. Also available in the plentiful pesto range is the watercress variety. ...
Kale. ...
Broccoli. ...
Red pepper. ...
Avocado. ...
Chives. ...
Pea.

Why is my basil pesto bitter?

“Extra-virgin olive oil contains bitter tasting polyphenols coated by fatty acids, which prevent them from dispersing. If the oil is emulsified in a food processor, these polyphenols get squeezed out and the liquid mix turns bitter.

What do I do with all this basil?

How to Use Basil

Top whole leaves onto pizza.
Finish pasta with whole or thinly sliced leaves.
Blend it into sauces.
Puree it into soups.
Chop it up to add to a salad.
Use it to garnish avocado toast.
Turn it into an ice cream topping! Jazz up vanilla ice cream with fresh strawberries, basil, and a balsamic reduction.

Should you wash basil before making pesto?

Only choose the healthiest leaves to use for making basil pesto, and toss out any that are yellow or brown. After they're removed from the stem, rinse them several times to wash off any bugs or dirt. Don't allow them to soak in water though, and be sure to dry them right away so they don't turn brown.