Description:
Basil pesto tastes great on any sautéed, grilled, or roasted protein, on zucchini noodles, and in our Keto Pizza with Mozzarella, Tomatoes, and Basil Pesto. Pounding the basil helps release its flavorful oils.
Jump to RecipeDirections:
- Toast garlic in 8-inch skillet over medium heat, shaking skillet
occasionally, until softened and spotty brown, about 8 minutes.
When garlic is cool enough to handle, remove and discard skins and
chop coarse. Meanwhile, toast pine nuts in now-empty skillet over
medium heat, stirring often, until golden and fragrant, about 4
minutes. - Place basil and parsley, if using, in 1-quart zipper-lock bag. Pound
bag with flat side of meat pounder or with rolling pin until all leaves
are bruised. - Process garlic, pine nuts, and herbs in food processor until finely
chopped, about 1 minute, scraping down sides of bowl as needed.
With processor running, slowly add oil until incorporated. Transfer
pesto to bowl, stir in Parmesan, and season with salt and pepper to
taste. (Pesto can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3
months. To prevent browning, press plastic wrap flush to surface or
top with thin layer of olive oil. Bring to room temperature before
using.)
BASIL PESTO
Basil pesto tastes great on any sautéed, grilled, or roasted protein, on zucchini noodles, and in our Keto Pizza with Mozzarella, Tomatoes, and Basil Pesto. Pounding the basil helps release its flavorful oils.
Ingredients
- 2 garlic cloves unpeeled
- ¼ cup pine nuts
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves optional
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Toast garlic in 8-inch skillet over medium heat, shaking skillet occasionally, until softened and spotty brown, about 8 minutes.
- When garlic is cool enough to handle, remove and discard skins and chop coarse. Meanwhile, toast pine nuts in now-empty skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until golden and fragrant, about 4 minutes.
- Place basil and parsley, if using, in 1-quart zipper-lock bag. Pound bag with flat side of meat pounder or with rolling pin until all leaves are bruised.
- Process garlic, pine nuts, and herbs in food processor until finely chopped, about 1 minute, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. With processor running, slowly add oil until incorporated. Transfer pesto to bowl, stir in Parmesan, and season with salt and pepper to taste. (Pesto can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. To prevent browning, press plastic wrap flush to surface or top with thin layer of olive oil. Bring to room temperature before using.)