Basil pesto (pesto alla genovese)

Name: Basil pesto (pesto alla genovese)
Yield: 1
Ingredients: 40 g pine nuts; 1 bunch basil; 1 garlic clove; 80 ml (⅓ cup) olive oil, approximately; 40 g parmesan, freshly grated

While it is readily available in jars from supermarkets, basil pesto is simple to master at home. There are generally only five ingredients - basil, of course, pine nuts and garlic, plus olive oil and parmesan. This recipe uses the traditional method of pounding using a mortar and pestle, but some pesto recipes suggest using a food processor to speed up the preparation time.

Credit: SBS Food

makes
1
difficulty
Easy

makes

1

serves

difficulty

Easy

level

Ingredients

40 g pine nuts
1 bunch basil
1 garlic clove
80 ml (⅓ cup) olive oil, approximately
40 g parmesan, freshly grated

Makes 1 cup

Instructions

Slowly toast the pine nuts in a dry frying pan, then take out and leave to cool.

Wash the basil, shake dry and pick the leaves from the stalks.

Peel, then crush the garlic, a little salt and the pine nuts in a mortar.

Add the basil and grind to a paste, then work in the grated parmesan.

Continue grinding, gradually adding the oil in a thin stream, to produce a creamy pesto. Season to taste with salt.

Cook's Notes

Oven temperatures are for conventional; if using fan-forced (convection), reduce the temperature by 20˚C. | We use Australian tablespoons and cups: 1 teaspoon equals 5 ml; 1 tablespoon equals 20 ml; 1 cup equals 250 ml. | All herbs are fresh (unless specified) and cups are lightly packed. | All vegetables are medium size and peeled, unless specified. | All eggs are 55-60 g, unless specified.

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