Description
Ina Garten’s classic pesto blends fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan, and olive oil into a silky smooth sauce. Mediterranean flavors dance across your palate, promising authentic Italian culinary magic in mere minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 5 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
- 1 ½ cups olive oil
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Nuts and Aromatics:
- ¼ cup walnuts
- ¼ cup pignolis (pine nuts)
- 3 tablespoons chopped garlic (9 cloves)
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Gather and prepare nuts and aromatics by combining walnuts, pine nuts, and finely chopped garlic in a robust food processor equipped with a steel blade. Pulse the mixture for approximately 30 seconds until achieving a coarse, textured consistency.
- Introduce fresh basil leaves, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper into the nut mixture. Pulse several times to integrate the ingredients thoroughly and release the aromatic herbs’ essential oils.
- Activate the food processor and gradually stream extra virgin olive oil through the feed tube in a steady, slow pour. Continue processing until the mixture transforms into a vibrant, cohesive emulsion with a glossy appearance.
- Incorporate freshly grated Parmesan cheese, allowing the processor to blend for an additional 45-60 seconds. Ensure the cheese integrates completely, creating a smooth and creamy pesto sauce with a rich, complex flavor profile.
- For immediate serving, transfer the pesto to a serving bowl. If storing, carefully pour the sauce into an airtight glass container, smoothing the surface and drizzling a thin protective layer of olive oil on top to prevent oxidation and maintain color vibrancy.
- Refrigerate for up to 5-7 days or freeze in small portioned containers for extended preservation, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor retention.
Notes
- Protect the pesto’s vibrant green hue by drizzling a thin olive oil layer on top when storing, preventing unwanted browning.
- Grate Parmesan cheese moments before mixing to unlock its most intense, creamy flavor profile that blends seamlessly into the sauce.
- Stream extra virgin olive oil gradually while blending, creating a silky-smooth texture that coats every ingredient perfectly.
- Carefully toast walnuts and pine nuts in a dry skillet until golden and fragrant, releasing their deep, nutty essence before incorporating.
- Select only the brightest, most aromatic fresh basil leaves, ensuring maximum flavor and stunning color in your homemade pesto.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 92
- Sugar: 0.1g
- Sodium: 158mg
- Fat: 9.5g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Carbohydrates: 0.9g
- Fiber: 0.2g
- Protein: 1.4g
- Cholesterol: 2.6mg