Pesto might sound intimidating to inexperienced cooks, but it truly couldn't be simpler to make. By combining fresh ingredients you most likely have on hand already, you can make a fresh Italian meal in minutes.
Fresh pesto is quick and easy to make, and has much better flavor than store bought jars of pesto. This recipe omits tree nuts, an ingredient typically found in pesto. For those with allergies, tree nuts can trigger a terrible allergic reaction. But if you wish to include nuts in this recipe, just add a handful of either pine nuts or walnuts after the first pulse.
You will need a food processor for this recipe.
Add some grilled chicken breasts and crusty bread to make it a hearty meal.
You will need:
Approx. 2 cups of fresh basil
6 cloves garlic*
Pinch of salt
Extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup fresh Parmiggiano Reggiano cheese, grated
To make pesto:
Wash basil, then toss into the food processor along with the garlic. Pulse until the basil and garlic are finely chopped and look to have a paste-like consistency. Add a pinch of salt, then about 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Pulse for about 15 seconds. Add Parmiggiano Reggiano cheese, and pulse again until the pesto looks pasty. If it looks too thick, add more extra virgin olive oil. To thicken, add more cheese.
Salt and pepper to taste.
* Note: If you and raw garlic do not get along well, slice the garlic cloves and saute in a small saucepan with about 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil on low to medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until garlic is soft and begins to brown. Softening the garlic by sauteing will help to reduce its raw pungency and make for a sweeter pesto.
Make it a meal
You can make this pesto into a quick weeknight dinner by adding chicken breasts and some pasta. Simply grill chicken breasts and boil your favorite pasta (penne and bow-tie pasta work well with this pesto, but any pasta shape will do), then drain pasta and cube or slice the chicken, then toss to combine. Top with more fresh cheese. Add some crusty French or Italian bread to round out the meal.
This pesto recipe can also be used as a spread on sandwiches. Simply combine with mayonnaise for a quick spread for Italian or other sandwiches.
For information on growing basil and other Italian herbs, read Grow a Summer Italian Herb Garden.
