This delicious and easy basil pesto is a quick, creamy sauce perfect for any pasta dish, sandwich, or even as a dip. With simple ingredients like fresh basil, pine nuts, and parmesan, you can whip up this flavorful treat in no time. Enjoy a burst of fresh flavors with this versatile and nutritious pesto!
Ingredients Needed:
- ½ cup pine nuts
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves (from about 2 bunches)
- Salt
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese, finely grated
How To Make Basil Pesto Recipe?
- Blend the Pine Nuts: In a food processor or blender, pulse 70g of pine nuts until a smooth paste forms.
- Add Garlic: Add 2 peeled garlic cloves and blend until the mixture is smooth and fully incorporated.
- Incorporate Basil: Add 50g of fresh basil leaves and a pinch of salt. Pulse a few times until the basil breaks down and a bright green paste forms.
- Stir in Cheese and Oil: Transfer the mixture to a bowl and stir in 25g of grated parmesan cheese and 120ml of extra-virgin olive oil until combined.
- Season to Taste: Add salt to taste, and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Recipe Tips:
- Use Fresh Basil: Fresh basil is key to achieving a bright green color and fresh flavor in pesto. Avoid using wilted or dry basil leaves.
- Toast Pine Nuts: Lightly toasting the pine nuts brings out their flavor and adds extra depth to the pesto. Just toast them for a few minutes in a dry pan.
- Use High-Quality Olive Oil: For the best taste, add olive oil. It will give the pesto a rich, smooth texture and a bold flavor.
- Blend in Small Batches: If your food processor or blender isn’t big enough, blend the ingredients in smaller batches to ensure a smoother texture.
- Add Salt Gradually: Add salt slowly, tasting as you go. It’s easier to add more than to fix an overly salty pesto.
How To Store & Reheat Leftovers?
- Refrigerate: Let the pesto cool to room temperature, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Cover the top with a little olive oil to prevent browning.
- Freeze: Freeze pesto in an airtight container or ice cube tray for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Reheat pesto on low heat in a pan with extra olive oil. Stir gently to keep the texture smooth.
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories: 92 kcal
- Total Fat: 9.5g
- Saturated Fat: 1.53g
- Cholesterol: 2.56mg
- Sodium: 158mg
- Potassium: 31.8mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 0.9g
- Dietary Fiber: 0.2g
- Sugars: 0.11g
- Protein: 1.4g
Try More Gordon Ramsay Recipes:
- Gordon Ramsay Couscous Salad Recipe
- Gordon Ramsay Lentil Soup Recipe
- Gordon Ramsay Chicken Stew Recipe
Gordon Ramsay Basil Pesto Recipe
Description
This delicious and easy basil pesto is a quick, creamy sauce perfect for any pasta dish, sandwich, or even as a dip. With simple ingredients like fresh basil, pine nuts, and parmesan, you can whip up this flavorful treat in no time. Enjoy a burst of fresh flavors with this versatile and nutritious pesto!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Blend the Pine Nuts: In a food processor or blender, pulse 70g of pine nuts until a smooth paste forms.
- Add Garlic: Add 2 peeled garlic cloves and blend until the mixture is smooth and fully incorporated.
- Incorporate Basil: Add 50g of fresh basil leaves and a pinch of salt. Pulse a few times until the basil breaks down and a bright green paste forms.
- Stir in Cheese and Oil: Transfer the mixture to a bowl and stir in 25g of grated parmesan cheese and 120ml of extra-virgin olive oil until combined.
- Season to Taste: Add salt to taste, and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Notes
- Use Fresh Basil: Fresh basil is key to achieving a bright green color and fresh flavor in pesto. Avoid using wilted or dry basil leaves.
- Toast Pine Nuts: Lightly toasting the pine nuts brings out their flavor and adds extra depth to the pesto. Just toast them for a few minutes in a dry pan.
- Use High-Quality Olive Oil: For the best taste, add olive oil. It will give the pesto a rich, smooth texture and a bold flavor.
- Blend in Small Batches: If your food processor or blender isn’t big enough, blend the ingredients in smaller batches to ensure a smoother texture.
- Add Salt Gradually: Add salt slowly, tasting as you go. It’s easier to add more than to fix an overly salty pesto.
Gordon Ramsay Basil Pesto Recipe