Super Easy Homemade Basil Pesto

Posted on 10 March 2009

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Homemade Basil Pesto

Happy Tuesday! I am somewhat excited as I get to share with you a super simple homemade Pesto recipe that you have to try! Usually I find myself focusing on one or two foods that I find in the grocery store that either happen to look great or on sale. I then try to wrap my brain around ways to use those ingredients to make 2 or 3 dishes until the ingredient is gone.

Just last night I found some great looking basil which is a perfect excuse to use my Cusinart Food Processor. I am a big fan, as you may already know, of using all the food in the fridge and trying to minimize waste as much as possible. Although, I have been known to toss some spoiled food out at times but it really “ROTS” me.

basil_pesto_final

I have been meaning to share this versatile basil pesto recipe with you for some time now. As you may know, my favorite herb is “BASIL” – I absolutely love it. This basil pesto is a treat whether you use it as a sandwich spread, pizza sauce, on top of pasta or even smear it on your favorite meat, chicken or fish. You will be pleasantly surprised with the flavor it packs.

The recipe below assumes you have a food processor.

Ingredients

1 oz. Parmesan cheese ( cut into 1/2 inch pieces )
1 clove garlic
2 cups fresh basil
3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp. lightly toasted pine nuts
1/4 tsp. salt

Method

With the machine running, drop the cheese down the feed tube and chop about 10 seconds. Remove and reserve.

basil_pesto_toasted_nuts

basil_pesto_basil_leaves

basil_pesto_pine_nuts

basil_pesto_parmesan

Chop Garlic, then add basil and pulse about 20 times ( Scrape down sides).

basil_pesto_chopped_garlic

basil_pesto_basil_garlic

With the machine running, drizzle Olive Oil down the tube and process until mixed. (Scrape down Sides)
Add pine nuts, reserved cheese and salt and pulse until nuts are chopped.
Let sit and store in a jar

basil_pesto_final

ENJOY!

Zesty Tip: I know for me it is sometimes hard to get fresh basil this time of year so when I find a really great crop I tend to buy a lot of it and freeze it. You can see a great set of instructions over at Kayln’s kitchen with more details on how to do this.

I look forward to sharing with you in the near future a few different ways I like to use basil pesto. Stay tuned and by all means you know I want to hear about your favorite ways to use basil pesto. Have a great day and keep smiling.

Take care

zesty

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Tags: basil, parmesan cheese, pesto, pine nuts

30 Responses to “Super Easy Homemade Basil Pesto”

1

VeggieGirl says:

March 10, 2009 at 8:44 am

I ADORE basil pesto!

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2

Tracy says:

March 10, 2009 at 8:47 am

This has me anxious for herb garden and to make some fresh homemade pesto.

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3

Nancy says:

March 10, 2009 at 9:10 am

Love Basil Pesto! Once you have it made, you can freeze it in small icecube portion sizes, and then thaw just the amount you need. Toss an ‘icecube’ in your next batch of spaghetti sauce! I also like to take a bit of the basil pesto and mix it with mayonnaise, and use that as a spread on a chicken and lettuce sandwich. It’s quite flavorful!
Nancy

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- 3.1
  
  ZestyCook says:
  
  March 10, 2009 at 2:21 pm
  
  @Nancy – That is an excellent idea. I love using it as a sandwich spread as well
  
  Reply
4

Sarah says:

March 10, 2009 at 9:32 am

I have the same food processor that I adore as well. I need to start making my own pesto instead of relying on store bought. It is so yummy. My husband uses it as a sandwich spread. YUM! Now you have me craving it!

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5

jenny t. says:

March 10, 2009 at 10:18 am

Hi Zesty,

In case anyone is allergic to pine nuts I experimented with some basil pesto that uses pumpkin seeds instead. I love how super green your pesto is!

http://rhymeswithhungry.blogspot.com/2008/07/presto-basil-and-pumpkin-seed-pesto.html

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- 5.1
  
  ZestyCook says:
  
  March 10, 2009 at 2:21 pm
  
  @Jenny T. – Great idea with switching to pumpkin seed
  
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6

Mara @ What's For Dinner? says:

March 10, 2009 at 10:22 am

I love pesto, and my Cuisinart! I usually use the Cuisinart for grating potatoes for potato latkes around Hanukkah, but I really need to break it out again!

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7

carolinebee says:

March 10, 2009 at 10:27 am

i kept re-reading your recipe going, “where’s the spinach”?? haha ooooo it’s BASIL pesto !!! That sounds amazing…congrats on the cookbook i’m gonna check it out tonight!! AND once i figure out a recipe someday i’m gonna contribute

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8

Meg says:

March 10, 2009 at 11:05 am

Looks delicious! This would be great at a St. Patrick’s Day party!

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9

Simone (junglefrog) says:

March 10, 2009 at 11:07 am

I love basil as well. Definitely one of my favorite herbs. It makes me happy just smelling fresh basil. Great recipe too for fresh pesto. I totally love it on traditional mozarella, tomato and pesto sandwich, but it’s good in sooo many things. Good tip also from Nancy above to put it in icecubes… I always make too much!

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10

Olga says:

March 10, 2009 at 11:26 am

YUM! Love fresh pesto. I made gnocchi once and served it with pesto. It’s also great to mix into a hummus, to spread on a sandwich, to add to mashed potatoes, or mix into a pasta.

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11

Bob says:

March 10, 2009 at 11:37 am

Mmmmm, pesto. Great recipe.

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12

Amy says:

March 10, 2009 at 11:38 am

I love pesto. When I find it beautiful basil at the farmers market, I buy bunches and make a ton of pesto. But usually word leaks out that I made it and instead of freezing it, I end up giving it away. I love to make a tomato tart or quiche and spoon pesto into the bottom of the crust.

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- 12.1
  
  ZestyCook says:
  
  March 10, 2009 at 2:20 pm
  
  @Amy That sounds amazing! Yeah I don’t think there would be fear of you having to freeze that
  
  Reply
13

Culinary Cory says:

March 10, 2009 at 12:30 pm

Pesto is a perfect way to use up all that basil I grow in the summer. It freezes really well also.

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14

Donna says:

March 10, 2009 at 12:51 pm

OMG look at the color, its gorgeous! I love it. It sounds o delicious, I’m trying it as soon as my basil grows. Thank you. Im off to check out your ecookbook now.

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15

Heather McD (Heather Eats Almond Butter) says:

March 10, 2009 at 2:32 pm

Thanks for the basil freezing tip as I mine often goes bad before I can use it all. Pesto is my favorite topping on pizza – so much better than plain old pizza sauce!

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16

Victoria says:

March 10, 2009 at 2:52 pm

I absolutely adore pesto. It is also my favorite sauce for pizza.

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17

Al says:

March 10, 2009 at 5:40 pm

Hey Zesty- have you ever tried chimichurri? Or, better yet, do you have a great recipe?

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18

Aggie says:

March 10, 2009 at 7:13 pm

Good looking pesto! Love it!

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19

leslie says:

March 10, 2009 at 9:57 pm

perfect Pesto!

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20

Cynthia H says:

March 11, 2009 at 11:56 am

I love pesto – especially when the basil is fresh from the garden. The cost of pine nuts can be prohibitive though and I’ve experimented with using walnuts instead. Walnuts and spinach also make an excellent pesto.

A great tasting sandwich using pesto – Turkey, pesto and dried cranberries!

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21

Lisa D says:

March 11, 2009 at 12:18 pm

THAT IS THE BEST LOOKING PESTO I”VE EVER SEEN! sorry for all the caps but I’m super enthusiastic about it! I’m sad now because it’s lunch time and ALL I want to eat is your pesto but clearly I don’t have it. Tear.

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22

Emily says:

April 10, 2009 at 10:24 pm

Oooh! I really want to try this!

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