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    Classic Pesto

    clock-icon10 minutes
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    Pixicook editorial team

    A traditional Italian sauce combining fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil.

    Ingredients for Classic Pesto

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    USchevron
    units in
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    serves
    1 peoplechevron
    serves
    1 peoplechevron

    Basil, Fresh, leaves picked

    cups

    Substitute chevron-down

    Garlic Clove, Peeled

    each

    Substitute chevron-down

    Salt

    to taste

    Substitute chevron-down

    Pine Nuts, Lightly toasted

    0 oz

    Substitute chevron-down

    Parmesan Cheese, Grated

    0 oz

    Substitute chevron-down

    Extra Virgin Olive Oil

    0.25 fluid ounces

    Substitute chevron-down

    How to Make Classic Pesto

    1. Prepare the Basil

    Gently pick the leaves from the stems of the basil and set them aside.

    2. Create Garlic Paste

    Pound the peeled garlic clove with a pinch of salt using a mortar and pestle until a smooth paste forms.

    3. Combine Garlic with Pine Nuts

    Add the lightly toasted pine nuts to the mortar with the garlic paste and continue pounding until well integrated.

    4. Add Parmesan

    Transfer the garlic and pine nut mixture to a bowl and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese.

    5. Process Basil Leaves

    Chop the basil coarsely and add it to the mortar. Pound the basil gently to create a fragrant, coarse paste.

    6. Combine and Emulsify

    Combine the basil paste with the garlic, pine nut, and cheese mixture. Gradually pour in the extra-virgin olive oil while pounding to emulsify the ingredients into a smooth sauce. Adjust the salt to taste.


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