Pesto from the Garden
Capture the vibrant essence of summer with this homemade "Pesto from the Garden" recipe—a celebration of fresh, seasonal flavors straight from your backyard. This easy, no-cook sauce combines fragrant basil leaves, rich extra virgin olive oil, and salty Parmesan cheese for a classic base, while the addition of toasted pine nuts and a splash of zesty lemon juice creates a perfectly balanced, nutty, and tangy flavor profile. Ready in just 10 minutes, this versatile pesto is ideal for tossing with pasta, spreading on sandwiches, or serving as a dip for crusty bread. With its vibrant green color and fresh aroma, it’s the perfect way to elevate your meals while showcasing the taste of garden-fresh ingredients.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 0.5 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.333 cup pine nuts
- 2 cloves garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Wash the fresh basil leaves thoroughly and pat them dry using a clean kitchen towel.
In a dry skillet over medium heat, lightly toast the pine nuts for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool.
Peel the garlic cloves and set them aside.
In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, toasted pine nuts, peeled garlic cloves, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
Pulse the ingredients several times until they are roughly combined.
While the processor is running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Continue blending until the mixture becomes smooth and emulsified. Stop and scrape down the sides as needed.
Taste the pesto and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as desired.
Transfer the pesto to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to one week, or freeze it for longer storage. Enjoy with pasta, sandwiches, or as a dip!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
254 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 26.2 g | 34% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.5 g | 23% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 7 mg | 2% | |
| Sodium | 277 mg | 12% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 2.2 g | 1% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.0 g | 4% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.3 g | ||
| Protein | 4.4 g | 9% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 105 mg | 8% | |
| Iron | 1.3 mg | 7% | |
| Potassium | 119 mg | 3% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
