Name: Basil Pesto
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Pestos

Prep time5 minutes

Cook time10 minutes

Total time15 minutes

This Basil Pesto is simple, colourful and delicious. It has a punchy basil flavour that is perfectly creamy from the addition of Pine Nuts. I have to say it is true what they say, making it yourself is sooo much better! and you can really personalise it to your liking. Pesto is super versatile as it can be used in so many ways. Pastas, Chicken, Fish and even Sandwiches. You cant go wrong making this Pesto. It can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge for days. I love to elevate simple veggie bakes by adding it tossed through and when im feeling extra lazy, i just eat it on crackers. Have fun making this one and don't take the measurements to seriously. Taste as you go and tweak as you like. ENJOY!

Ingredients

Basil Pesto

2 Cloves Garlic
1 Large Bunch Fresh Basil
50 Grams Pinenuts
40 Grams Parmesan, Finely Grated
3 TBS Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 TSP EACH Salt & Black Pepper
Water, OPTIONAL
Half Lemon Zest
Half Lemon Juice

Instructions

Basil Pesto

1
Mortar & Pestle-

Add whole Garlic cloves to Pestle and crush until paste.

Basil & Pine Nuts-

Add Basil and Pine Nuts, Muddle/crush until course paste.

Seasoning and Oil-

Now season with Salt & Pepper, then slowly drizzle Oil in muddling paste as you go.

Add Water (OPTIONAL)-

If you would like your pesto to be runnier add a little water Tsp at a time, until you have the consistency you like.

Finish with Lemon-

Add Lemon Zest and then squeeze juice in and muddle until you reach the texture you like.

Enjoy!

Equipment

Mortar and Pestle

Notes

Mortar & Pestle-

If you don’t have a Mortar and Pestle, you can absolutely use a food processor instead. Just follow the instructions the same way and use processor on pulse mode.

Add water-

This part is completely optional. If you are wanting a thicker pesto don’t bother adding the water but if you would like it a runny consistency, do so. If you are planning on using the Pesto for stuffing; example inside chicken breast, leave the pesto thicker. If you would like it tossed through pasta go for a runny consistency.

Seasoning with Salt, Pepper & Lemon-

I always like to provide measurements in my recipes but please don’t be afraid to adjust as you like. My tip is to taste the Pesto after adding the Salt, Pepper and Lemon. You may want to add more seasoning depending on your liking.