If there’s one plant in the garden that screams summer, it’s basil.
Sweet, sweet basil.
It’s one of my favorite herbs to cook with. I usually pick off some leaves here and there for caprese salads, spaghetti sauces, and flatbread pizzas.
BUT there comes a time, in late summer, when the basil plant turns into a small bush, shall we say.
You begin to wonder – ”What on earth am I going to do with all of this basil?!”
Well, my friends, the answer is pesto. Oh yeah!!
This homemade pesto recipe is so incredibly easy. There are only a few ingredients and it takes 5 minutes to make. (I’m not joking)
Let’s get into it, shall we?
Homemade Pesto
Ingredients you will need:
- 4 cups of tightly packed basil leaves
- 3 garlic cloves
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese (cut into slices or cubes)
- ½ cup walnuts (you can substitute pine nuts, almonds, or pecans)
- 1 cup olive oil
- 1 pinch of sea salt
- In a food processor or high-powered blender, add basil, garlic cloves, parmesan, nuts, olive oil, and salt. I personally find that my blender doesn’t do the trick, so I have to pull out my food processor.
2. Blend until smooth. (You may have to scrape the sides a couple of times to make sure everything is mixed well).
3. Taste test! Add more sea salt if needed.
Et, Voila! How simple is that?! Folks, it doesn’t get much easier.
I pack mine into a mason jar to use throughout the week. You can also freeze in ice cube trays for an hour and then place into a freezer bag to save for the winter months.
I hope you enjoy this homemade pesto recipe as much as I do!
Pesto turkey sandwiches, anyone?
Homemade Pesto Recipe
Equipment
- 1 food processor or high-powered blender
Ingredients
- 4 cups basil leaves tightly packed
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese cubed or shredded
- 1/2 cup walnuts or pine nuts
- 1 cup olive oil
- 1 pinch sea salt
Instructions
- First, in a food processor or high-powered blender, add basil, garlic cloves, Parmesan, nuts, olive oil, and salt. I personally find that my blender doesn’t do the trick, so I have to pull out my food processor.
- Next, Blend until smooth. (You may have to scrape the sides a couple of times to make sure everything is mixed well).
- Taste test! Add more sea salt if needed.