Fresh Basil Pesto

Fresh Basil Pesto

16 servings
Homemade pesto is one of the best ways to enjoy a bounty of fresh basil. It's great on pasta, baked potatoes, pizza, or bread. Make it in just 15 minutes!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves

    packed, can sub half the basil leaves with baby spinach

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

    about 2 ounces

  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/3 cup pine nuts

    can sub chopped walnuts

  • 3 garlic cloves

    minced, about 3 teaspoons

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    more to taste
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    more to taste

Directions

  1. 1

    Pulse the basil and pine nuts: Place the basil leaves and pine nuts into the bowl of a food processor and pulse several times.

  2. 2

    Add the garlic and cheese: Add the garlic and Parmesan or Romano cheese and pulse several times more. Scrape down the sides of the food processor with a rubber spatula.

  3. 3

    Slowly pour in the olive oil: While the food processor is running, slowly add the olive oil in a steady small stream. Adding the olive oil slowly while the processor is running will help it emulsify and help keep the olive oil from separating. Occasionally, stop to scrape down the sides of the food processor.

  4. 4

    Season the pesto sauce: Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Toss with pasta for a quick sauce, dollop over baked potatoes, or spread onto crackers or toasted slices of bread.

Fresh Basil Pesto

Fresh Basil Pesto

15 min16 servings

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Simple Pesto Butter Salmon

Simple Pesto Butter Salmon

This pesto butter salmon uses just 8 ingredients to create a flavor-packed dish that’s full of herb flavor!What Is Pesto And Why Use It In This RecipePesto is a versatile condiment used often in Italian dishes on pasta, pizza and chicken or fish. A dollop of pesto brings recipes to life with very little effort. There are many varieties of pesto that utilize different nuts like walnuts or almonds and different herbs like parsley or even cilantro. We kept this pesto classic using fresh basil and toasted pine nuts. It’s full of heart healthy fats from olive oil and antioxidants from fresh basil and garlic.What Is Pesto Butter? The fresh pesto combines with softened butter to create what’s known as a compound butter. This marries the rich, nutty butter with the herby pesto. It is then chilled until firm before slicing. This pesto butter can be used in other recipes like melted into freshly cooked pasta, spread onto toasted crusty bread or even added to your morning eggs. Once the pesto butter is finished, salmon portions are baked until golden brown before being topped with a slice of pesto butter. The pesto butter will melt in a couple minutes adding a rich layer of herby, saucy goodness over salmon.Learn About Our SalmonHere at Sizzlefish, our Atlantic salmon is raised in the remote waters off the Faroe Islands, located between Iceland, Norway and Scotland. This salmon species is raised without the use of antibiotics. The flavor is mild and flaky.

89 minutes4 servings

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About this Recipe

Craving the vibrant, fresh taste of summer? This homemade Fresh Basil Pesto recipe is your answer, transforming a bounty of basil into a versatile condiment in just 15 minutes. Forget jarred versions—you'll love how easily you can capture the essence of garden-fresh herbs right in your kitchen.

What makes this recipe truly shine is its simplicity and the quality of fresh ingredients working in harmony. You’re building layers of flavor with nutty pine nuts (or walnuts!), sharp cheese, fragrant garlic, and robust extra virgin olive oil, all complementing the star—fresh basil. The speedy prep means you can whip this up on a weeknight, instantly elevating any meal.

Expect a bright, herbaceous pesto with a rich, savory depth that perfectly balances garlicky notes with the saltiness of the cheese and the earthy sweetness of pine nuts. Its texture is smooth yet substantial, clinging beautifully to pasta or spreading generously over warm bread. This pesto brings an invigorating, aromatic touch that truly tastes homemade, delivering a burst of freshness that store-bought just can't match.

Customizing your Fresh Basil Pesto is simple and encouraged! For a slightly milder flavor or to extend your basil, you can substitute half of the fresh basil leaves with baby spinach. If you don't have pine nuts on hand, chopped walnuts make an excellent alternative, adding a similar richness. Feel free to adjust the salt and pepper to your personal preference.

This versatile Fresh Basil Pesto is perfect for so many occasions. Spoon it generously over your favorite pasta, spread it on crispy baked potatoes, use it as a flavorful base for pizza, or simply enjoy it slathered on warm, crusty bread. It’s a delightful addition to any meal, bringing a touch of gourmet freshness.

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