Ingredients

2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan-Reggiano or Romano cheese

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/3 cup pine nuts (or almonds or walnuts)

3 medium sized garlic cloves, minced

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Preparation

  1. Combine the basil in with the pine nuts, pulse a few times in a food processor. (If you are using almonds or walnuts instead of pine nuts and they are not already chopped, pulse them a few times first, before adding the basil.) Add the garlic, pulse a few times more.

  2. Slowly add the olive oil in a constant stream while the food processor is on. Stop to scrape down the sides of the food processor with a rubber spatula. Add the grated cheese and pulse again until blended. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

NOTE: I have also used spinach and arugula as alternatives or along with the basil for a variation on the pesto. Try adding some fresh lemon too.