Homemade Basil Pesto: Quick and Easy

Homemade basil pesto is one of the easiest (and fastest) sauces to make, and is always a crowd-pleaser. Basil pesto has a fresh, slightly sweet taste (thanks to the basil) that goes well with practically any pasta dish, as well as doubling as a spread for breads and sandwiches. A little bright green pesto can add color to whatever you decide to make, and is a great, light-tasting alternative to heavier pasta sauces, especially in the summer months.

The great thing about basil pesto is how variable it can be. You can add or omit a number of ingredients, depending on your personal taste and what you are serving it with. The possibilities are extensive. Here's a basic basil pesto recipe to get you started:

Homemade Basil Pesto Recipe

Ingredients:

2 cups fresh basil leaves

½ cup olive oil

½ cup Parmesan cheese (grated)

1 tablespoon garlic (about 3 cloves)

1/3 cup pine nuts (or chopped almonds)

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

Combine your pine nuts and basil together in a food processor and pulse a couple of times, just until the basil begins to break down. Add the garlic and pulse a few more times. Slowly add your olive oil to this mixture, and blend until the basil pesto becomes smooth. Add your cheese and lemon juice at the end, and pulse until they are blended. Finish off with some salt and pepper, if you want to.

Note: You can easily substitute a blender for a food processor if you don't have one.

Homemade Basil Pesto Variations

You can modify this basic homemade basil pesto recipe to suit your own tastes. For example, by omitting the cheese, this recipe becomes vegan without losing richness of flavor.

You can also add spinach or mint leaves, to add extra freshness to your basil pesto. Play around with the recipe until you find your own signature combination.

Sources:

Personal Experience