Quick, Fresh, and Easy Basil Pesto

My mini-food processor is the perfect size for pesto making!

With basil overtaking my herb garden, I decided to do something with it and make some pesto! I love pesto but it is so expensive at the store- even for a little tiny container of it is at least $5! I knew I had everything else in my kitchen to make the pesto, so I quickly got to work on plucking the basil from my herb garden and turning it into fresh and yummy pesto. Also- homemade pesto is so much healthier than store-bought; you put in what you want and flavor it according to your preference.

Here is the simple recipe for my pesto:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of fresh basil
• 2-3 large cloves garlic
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/3 cup pine nuts
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

 

 

 

 

 

 

Directions:

1. Place basil and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse several times.
2. Add in the garlic and pulse a few more times.
3. Slowly add in the olive oil and continue to pulse.
4. Add in the parmesan cheese if desired and pulse until everything looks like it has mixed together well. 
5. Scrape down the sides of the food processor and pulse again if necessary to make sure everything is mixed in. If desired, add salt and pepper to taste. I actually didn’t add any, but I know most people like to add salt and pepper. 
6. Serve with pasta or on bread (toasted bread spread with pesto is my favorite!) or make a tomato, pesto, and mozzarella sandwich! Or use the pesto as a spread for pizza! Mmmmm!

Note: Have more pesto than you can use? Freeze it and take it out when you need it!