An authentic recipe for pesto sauce
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This authentic recipe for pesto sauce is a quick easy recipe that can be made in 5 minutes. Enjoy it with pasta, salad, pizza, or any of your favorite dishes.
If you are still buying pesto sauce from the stores then you must think twice before moving forward. Making pesto sauce at home to top your salad or your pasta is one of the best healthy dinner ideas that you may have. Furthermore, pulsing the ingredients to come up with a blended smooth sauce takes less than 5 minutes. Yes, I present to you one of the quick easy recipes to date, the authentic recipe for pesto sauce.
If you got basil on hand, no need to search for options from the best healthy recipes to serve over dinner. Bring it on with this authentic recipe for pesto sauce. With the help of your food processor and a few ingredients available in your fridge and pantry, you will be able to whip a delicious pesto sauce to top your dishes and enjoy a fulfilling meal such as a delicious Caprese salad, or a baked feta pasta salad.
When I wanted to do pesto at home, I did extensive research. And although I have been following one way of preparing this sauce, I kept testing and researching until I found the ultimate recipe. Homemade pesto sauce is by far more delicious than store-bought pesto. Why? Let’s see together.
What are the ingredients of this authentic recipe for pesto sauce?
When we say authentic, we go back to where pesto sauce originates from and how is it done. So, what does the ultimate Italian pesto sauce include:
- Basil: Fresh basil, please. Avoid using dried basil if you want an original pesto sauce.
- Pine: although some recipes call for the use of peanut or cashew nuts, the authentic pesto sauce includes pine and only pine.
- Olive oil: generously added. Extra virgin olive oil enhances the flavor and the texture at once.
- Parmesan cheese: grated parmesan is added at the end.
- Garlic: you may not be a lover of garlic, but trust me, adding this clove of garlic makes a huge difference.
- Salt: an essential ingredient that makes the flavors work together.
How to make pesto sauce?
Adding ingredients to the food processor gradually and in order is very much important.
- Roast the pine nuts
- Pulse together the pine nuts, garlic, and salt until they are completely crushed.
- Add basil leaves and pulse.
- As the ingredients are processed, drizzle the olive oil.
- Once the ingredients start to blend, add the parmesan cheese and process for 15 seconds.
- Finally, add 1 ice cube to ensure that the pesto comes out creamy and green.
How to preserve this sauce?
To store pesto sauce in the fridge, put it in an air-tight container.
On the other hand, if you want to freeze the sauce, then make sure not to add the cheese. When you process the ingredients, do not add the cheese. Pour the sauce into an ice cubes tray until the cubes are frozen. Then, move them to a zip lock bag. Once you defrost them, add the grated parmesan cheese.
What are the secrets behind a successful sauce?
Three key ingredients and steps give you an authentic recipe for pesto sauce:
- Fresh basil: the flavor of fresh basil is different than the flavor of dried basil. Choose green, vibrant basil leaves. These will yield the best taste.
- Roasted pine nuts: each ingredient in this recipe boost the flavor of pesto. Roasted pine nuts give you an incredible flavor that is totally different than the one that raw pine nuts would give.
- Ice cube: a small ice cube is capable of flipping the whole story. This cube is what will ensure you will end up with bright green color and a creamy sauce.
What is pesto sauce used for?
You can add this sauce to many dishes such as:
- The famous chicken Bellagio
- Baked feta pasta salad
- Authentic Caprese salad
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This authentic recipe for pesto sauce is a quick easy recipe that can be made in 5 minutes. Enjoy it with pasta, salad, pizza, or any of your favorite dishes.
Ingredients
- Half cup olive oil
- 2 cups basil leaves fully loaded
- 1 large garlic clove
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Heat a small skillet, then add 1 tbsp of olive oil and the pine nuts.
- Roast the nuts until they start to brownish.
- Transfer the nuts to a food processor.
- Add garlic and salt and pulse until the pine nuts become completely crushed.
- Add basil leaves and pulse again.
- As the food processor is on, drizzle the olive oil.
- Add the parmesan cheese and process for 15 seconds.
- Finally, add the ice cube and process for a few seconds until you end up with a creamy green pesto sauce.
- Transfer to an air-tight container and store in the fridge.
Notes
- Do not over-pulse to avoid the basil turning out brown.
- Make sure to add the ice cube for a smooth green pesto sauce.
Nutrition
Calories: 357 kcal per serving | Serving size: 2 tablespoons | Number of servings: 14
Total Fat 37 g | Saturated Fat 4 g | Cholesterol 0 mg | Sodium 147 mg | Potassium 96 mg | Total Carbohydrate 3 g | Dietary Fiber 0 g | Sugars 0 g | Protein 7 g | Vitamin A: 33% | Vitamin C: 10% | Calcium: 5% | Iron: 6%
* The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
