add to shopping list Ingredients

2-3 fresh garlic cloves
1/4 cup Walnuts
4 cups fresh basil leaves
3/4 cup Olive Oil
1 cup Parmesan cheese; grated
to taste Salt And Pepper

Preparation

In a blender or food processor add 2-3 fresh garlic
cloves and 1/4 cup walnuts and whirl till coarsely chopped. Measure 4 cups of fresh basil leaves - lightly packed. Rinse, pat dry and toss into blender with 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil - blend until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste. Either blend in or whirl in 1 cup of Parmesan cheese. Store in an air tight container. Now that was easy, huh?

- By not adding the Parmesan cheese straight into the recipe it makes it more versatile. Use the base recipe as a rub - add the Parmesan cheese if you are going to use it as a dip or toss for pasta.
- Add pine nuts in place of the walnuts
- Toast the nuts under a broiler or in a dry frying pan for a smoky flavor
- Try macadamian nuts - I think they would add a buttery punch
- Blend in your favorite hot seasoning to give the pesto an edgy, spicy taste
- Try different oil combinations such as; grape seed, sesame, canola -tickle your tastebuds

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Reviews

2/05/10

Theresa111 says:

I am going to make this for my pasta dish tonight! I just bought a big amount of fresh basil, too.

8/14/11

dwansosa says:

YESSSS! Now I can put all that beautiful Basil in the garden to use! My husband says thank you!

9/14/11

deerose says:

I can't wait to try to make Pesto, sounds great.

12/31/11

user_4eff9e2da5890 says:

Awesome recipe! I love pesto but hate paying the price for those little jars or buying the pine nuts, which are expensive. Check out my blog for more comments on this recipe. http://thecoincidentalcook.blogspot.com/

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