Estimated Nutrition (whole recipe, rough)
What these numbers assume — 7 portions →
| Ingredient | Portion assumed | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| Pine Nut | 1 oz (28g) | 191 |
| Olive Oil | 1 tbsp (14g) | 119 |
| Parmesan Cheese | 1 oz (28g) | 110 |
| Black Pepper | 1 tsp ground (2.3g) | 6 |
| Garlic | 1 clove (3g) | 4 |
| Basil | 5 leaves fresh (2.5g) | 1 |
| Salt | 1 tsp (6g) | 0 |
Totals for the whole recipe, adding one typical portion per ingredient — listed above. Quantities in the recipe are not counted, so this is a rough guide only — not suitable for medical or dietary planning.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup pine nuts
- 4 cups tightly packed basil leaves
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F.
On a baking sheet, spread the pine nuts and bake for about 5 minutes, then stir.
Continue baking until the nuts are golden brown and highly aromatic, stirring occasionally.
After the nuts cool completely, chop them finely.
Fill a medium-sized saucepan halfway with water, then place over medium heat and bring to a boil.
Next to the pot, fill a large bowl with ice and water.
Dip a few of the basil leaves into the boiling water with tongs, blanch for 3 seconds, then remove them from the water and place them in the ice water.
Repeat until all of the basil has been blanched, adding ice to the water as necessary.
Drain the basil in a colander and with a towel, pat dry.
In a food processor or blender, mix the basil, cheese, pine nuts, salt, garlic, pepper, and all but 1 tbsp of the olive oil.
Process until the pesto is smooth and uniform.
Pour the pesto into an airtight container, adding the remaining olive oil to the top as a protective layer.
Pesto can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
To freeze pesto, place it in a tightly sealed container or, for smaller amounts, freeze in ice cube trays then remove and put in smaller freezer bags.
Delicious!.