Fresh Basil Pesto

Is there anything savory that screams summer more than fresh basil pesto?  I think not.  Make a few jars while there are ample supplies of fresh basil in your garden and keep it in the freezer to enjoy all year.  Let me show you how easy it is to make.

By the way, because some of these ingredients are hard to measure by volume, I prefer to measure by weight, but I've included both volume and weight measurements in the recipe at the end of this post.  

Start by toasting pine nuts and garlic in a dry skillet over medium heat. Stir and toss them frequently and keep an eye on them because they can easily burn.  Some people have a hard time finding pine nuts (or pinoli as they're called in Italy) so walnut can be substituted, but I really prefer to stick with tradition and use pine nuts.  The pesto can be made without nuts as well, but they add a subtle crunch.

Note the garlic clove still has its papery husk on for a bit of protection.  The husk will brown, but the clove of garlic inside won't - the only thing you'll notice is the flavor will mellow a bit.  You'll get all that garlicy goodness without the harsh bite you get from raw garlic.

When the toasted garlic clove is cool enough to handle, remove and discard the husk - it should slip right off.

This recipe will take less than a minute to make so have all your ingredients measured out and ready to go.  Basil, olive oil, grated parmesan, toasted pine nuts, roasted garlic, and fresh lemon juice.

The culinary term for this technique is called "mise en place" which is French for "everything in its place".  

The first ingredients to go into the food processor fitted with the chopping blade are the toasted garlic and pine nuts.  

Pulse the machine on and off a few times until they're finely chopped.

Next in will be the basil.

And again, pulse the machine on and off a few times until things are finely chopped.

We're going to let the processor run more when we add the other ingredients so don't pulse too much.  Let's take a peek at what it should look like at this point - mmmm.  Wish you could smell my house right about now.  

Has anyone marketed basil perfume?

Alrighty - in goes the cheese.  Pulse once or twice just to combine.

Ready for the last 2 ingredients...

The olive oil...

And a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

I like my pesto a bit on the thick side, but by all means, add more olive oil if you like.

Fresh basil pesto stores beautifully in the fridge for several days or longer in the freezer.  Just put it in an airtight container and cover with a layer of olive oil to prevent it from oxidizing (turning brown).

Ready for the fridge or freezer.

Our favorite way to enjoy basil pesto is to serve it over hot pasta.  It goes particularly well with lemon pasta if you can find it (I posted a link below).  

I added a little grated lemon zest too, not only for flavor, but because it looks so pretty.    

Ok, now that you know how easy pesto is to make, go, make, and enjoy!

Items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• pine nuts https://amzn.to/2WFOHR3

• food processor https://amzn.to/2yzA2yT

• my favorite digital scale https://amzn.to/33ntx12

• real parmesan cheese https://amzn.to/2xQotTx

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Fresh Basil Pesto

makes 1 cup

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 whole clove garlic, unpeeled

• 20 grams pine nuts (about 2 tablespoons)

• 40 grams fresh basil leaves (about 3 heaping cups of leaves)

• 80 grams grated parmesan or pecorino romano cheese (about 2.8 ounces)

• 100 mls extra virgin olive oil (5.5 fluid ounces)

• squeeze of fresh lemon juice (5 mls, or about 1 teaspoon)

Directions

1. In a small skillet over medium heat, toast pine nuts until golden brown and fragrant; remove from skillet to stop the cooking process.

2. In the same small skillet over medium heat, toast the unpeeled clove or garlic until golden and fragrant; remove from skillet to stop the cooking process and when cool enough to handle, remove and discard the paper husk.

3. In a large food processor, pulse the pine nuts and garlic until finely chopped.

4. Add basil leaves and pulse until finely chopped.

5. Add cheese, olive oil, and lemon juice; process until well mixed.

6. Store in an airtight container with a layer of olive oil on top, or freeze in small amounts for longer storage..

Spaghetti with Garlic and Basil

Here's a very flavorful side dish that comes together in a matter of minutes.  I like to make it when I have leftover spaghetti in the fridge, but it's worthy of cooking a fresh batch of pasta so you can enjoy it.  Fresh basil is a must here - don't even think about trying to substitute dried.  

Just a few simple ingredients are needed for this tasty side dish.  Fresh garlic, extra virgin olive oil, unsalted butter, grated parmesan (or romano) cheese, and salt and pepper.  If you like a little heat, you can add crushed red pepper flakes too. 

And my favorite herb, fresh basil.  like I said before, don't substitute dried basil here - it's just not the same at all.  Wait until you can get your hands on some fresh basil.

And lastly, you'll also need some cooked spaghetti.  If the spaghetti you're using is cold from being stored in the fridge, either bring it to room temperature or gently warm it with hot water, then drain well.

In a pan over medium-high heat, combine the olive oil and butter until the butter melts.

Mmmm.

Add the garlic.

Cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds until the aroma of garlic perfumes the air.  Oh how I wish you could smell it!! 

Immediately add the pasta and toss to coat.  

Turn off the heat and add the salt and pepper...

The grated parmesan cheese...

And finally, the basil.

Toss everything together well and serve.

Mangia!

Items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• high quality nonstick skillet https://amzn.to/34nLDjN

• garlic press https://amzn.to/3gh63xz

• shallow pasta/soup bowls https://amzn.to/3uhpoXM

• very high quality olive oil https://amzn.to/3g7PcNO

• square dipping dishes https://amzn.to/3IPLUuP

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Spaghetti with Garlic and Basil

makes 6-8 servings

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 pound leftover cooked plain spaghetti

• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

• 4 cloves garlic, minced or crushed

• 1 cup fresh basil leaves, torn into bite-size pieces

• 1/2 cup grated parmesan or romano cheese

• kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

Directions

1. If spaghetti is cold, reheat gently by soaking in hot water for a couple of minutes, drain well.

2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, combine olive oil and butter, stirring until butter melts.

3. Add garlic and continue stirring until the garlic smells fragrant, 30-60 seconds. Immediately add the torn basil leaves, cooked spaghetti, and cheese.

4. Remove from heat and toss to coat.

5. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.