Favorite Basil Pesto Food

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.

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.

CLASSIC BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• Put everything into the food processor, pulse to combine, then whiz away to make a paste.

FRESH BASIL PESTO WITH VARIATIONS

Steps:

• Fit your food processor with the steel blade attachment. To bowl add basil, garlic, oil, pine nuts, salt and pepper. Pulse several times, scraping bowl if needed, and continue until the mixture is a smooth paste. Add a tiny bit of oil if mixture gets too thick.
• When the consistency is right, transfer to a small bowl and fold in the shredded parmesan cheese.
• To Serve: Stir a few tablespoons of pesto with a splash of cooking water from your favorite pasta and toss with hot pasta until coated. Use as a condiment on grilled panini sandwiches, on toast points for an appetizer, as a pizza sauce, or garnish your fresh soup with a few teaspoons.
• To Store: Cover with a thin layer of olive oil or spray with non-stick cooking oil and keep in the fridge for several weeks. For long-term storage fill ice cube trays with pesto, freeze and then pop out into a resealable plastic bag. Thaw just the right amount of fresh pesto for your meal any time you want it!
• *NOTE: Other aromatic herbs, nuts, oils or hard cheeses can be used in place of or in combination with the basil, pine nuts, extra virgin olive oil and parmesan. Keep in mind the herb is the star of the show and should have the most prominent flavor when mixing and matching ingredients. Also, consider the rest of your meal and what fresh flavors might compliment it best. Have fun experimenting with some of the following!
• Herbs: fresh cilantro, spinach, oregano, sun-dried tomatoes; Italian flat leaf parsley can be used by itself but is also great to use with any of the other herbs when you may be running short on them.
• Nuts: Walnuts, almonds, pecans.
• Flavored Oils: porcini mushroom, walnut, lemon, rosemary, raspberry.
• Cheeses: parmigiano-reggiano, asiago, romano.

MY FAVORITE PESTO RECIPE

Steps:

• Combine 2 cups basil leaves, garlic and 1/3 of the pine nuts in a blender or food processor and puree to desired smoothness.
• Add 1/2 cup Parmesan and the Romano cheese and blend briefly.
• Pour in 1/2 cup olive oil and mix well.
• Set aside.
• Cook pasta in 4 quarts of water until very al dente.
• Drain and toss in a large bowl with the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil.
• Cool to room temperature, occasionally stiring the pasta to coat thoroughly.
• Mix reserved pesto with pasta.
• Garnish with the remaining nuts and fresh basil leaves and put the additional cheese in a serving bowl to put on top of pasta if desired.
• Serve at room temperature.