Homemade pesto is super easy to make and can add so much flavor to dishes you probably already make. Fresh store-bought pestos (like the kind you can usually find in the deli section) are fantastic too. Lately I have been getting a large bunch of basil in my CSA delivers and more often than not I turn it into pesto. This is most easily done with a food processor but a good blender will work too or you can do it by hand with a mortar and pestle if you're cool like that.
Easy Homemade Pesto, makes about 1/2 cup
Needed: 2-3 ounces fresh basil leaves, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup pine nuts, a generous 1/3 cup olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and juice from 1/2 a lime or lemon, 1 clove of garlic (optional, I forgot to buy garlic this week so I left it out).
Puree in food processor. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
I love pesto on pasta, spread on sandwiches, mixed in with salads or as the base for a tart or pizza. There are all sorts of ways to enjoy pesto. Enjoy! xo. Emma
Mmm, that looks so good!
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Posted by: Sarah @ All Things Blogs | August 18, 2012 at 04:40 PM
This looks wonderful! Pesto is one of my favorites. Thanks for this!
Posted by: Morgan | August 18, 2012 at 04:47 PM
Pesto is pretty much my favorite thing ever, and I've always wanted to make my own. This looks awesome!
Posted by: Kate | August 18, 2012 at 05:11 PM
For a more traditional pesto genovese, leave out lemon and add some pecorino cheese. so incredibly yummy.
Posted by: karin | August 18, 2012 at 05:31 PM
YUM! Thanks so much for this recipe. Sometimes it's like you guys can read my mind, because this is exactly what I was thinking of making today! Seriously.
Posted by: Emily Jenks | August 18, 2012 at 05:39 PM
I have never heard of making it with lemon juice but have added lemon zest when I wanted to make a vegan pesto and that was really good.
I always use walnuts as a sub for pine nuts for cost reasons as a previous commenter had asked.
Love this new mastering the basics thing :)
Y'all are def. the best bloggers on the internet in my book!
Posted by: Rachel | August 18, 2012 at 05:50 PM
Love pesto. I also like to make it half and half with basil and cilantro.
Posted by: Mary Beougher | August 18, 2012 at 06:07 PM
Yummy! I'll have to try this sometime :)
Xo, Kelsey
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Posted by: Kelsey | August 18, 2012 at 06:13 PM
I absolutely love pesto, make it very often with some pasta and is so easy to make. so yummy!
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Posted by: Lara | August 18, 2012 at 06:30 PM
Mmm... I love making pesto. Unfortunately, I didn't get to plant my garden this year because I would normally have lots of basil laying around. I'm glad you mentioned lime juice because I think it gives pesto an interesting kick.
Allison
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Posted by: allison | August 18, 2012 at 07:44 PM
I haven't visited your blog in a while-- LOVE the new look! So classy!
I also love pesto on everything. We have a ton of basil growing in our garden right now so I'll have to go make a batch soon. However; I have to disagree on the "garlic is optional" statement! :)
Posted by: Lauren | August 18, 2012 at 08:35 PM
I love this! Funny enough I just made homemade pesto the other night! So much better than store bought!
- Sarah
agirlintransit.blogspot.com
Posted by: Sarah | August 18, 2012 at 09:28 PM
I have a pesto tip to share! I make a bunch all at once and then freeze it. Here's the awesome part, though: Freeze individual portions in a muffin pan overnight. The next day, place the pan in a thin layer of warm water and pop out the individual portions. Freeze these in a large freezer bag (use a straw to suck out excess air and prevent freezer burn.) Each "muffin cup" serves two, and it lasts for a few months and tastes delicious the whole time!
(I have to give credit for this tip to "Wildly Affordable Organic" by Linda Watson, cookforgood.com. Definitely worth the read!)
Posted by: Amber | August 18, 2012 at 09:36 PM
We like it better without nuts personally. I also make a lot when I can find good basil and then freeze it. A new favorite at our house is marinating shrimp in it then cooking them with just a bit of butter. YUM!
Posted by: Sara S | August 18, 2012 at 09:58 PM
Looks very yummy. Thanks for the recipe.
Posted by: Danette @ All My Love for All My Days | August 18, 2012 at 10:45 PM
I absolutely love pesto. Can't wait to try this.
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Posted by: Window Shopper | August 18, 2012 at 11:26 PM
Great thing that you show how easy it actually is to make pesto genovese!!
Just a suggestion: try to add few ice cubes in the food processor... in this way the basil won't oxidise so easily and the pesto will have a bright green colour ;)
Waiting for a "pesto 3 ways" post!
xx
Posted by: Nathalia | August 19, 2012 at 02:05 AM
wow, gotta try it!
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Posted by: katy vess | August 19, 2012 at 02:24 AM
Basil pesto is one of my absolute favourite foods. It's difficult to get pine nuts here ans they're very expensive when you do find them, so I use walnuts in my basil pesto.
Posted by: Natasha | August 19, 2012 at 02:30 AM
yammy!love pesto
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Posted by: Tali | August 19, 2012 at 03:06 AM