This was probably one of the easiest recipes on my list of 30 Things to Make Before 30. All that I had to do in order to create this delectable, homemade sauce was to throw a few ingredients in the food processor and hit pulse. The result is a beautiful green fragrant sauce in less time than it takes to boil the pasta. Next time I am going to try one Giada's pesto variations, either sun dried or mushroom pesto.
Basil Pesto Sauce
From Giada De Laurentiis
Ingredients
2 cups fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts (bake on a cookie sheet at 400 degrees for 5 - 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Be sure to keep an eye on them so they don't burn!)
1 garlic clove
1/2 teaspoon salt, more to taste
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
In a blender pulse the basil, pine nuts, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper until finely chopped. With the blender still running, gradually add in enough oil to form a smooth and thick consistency. Transfer the pesto to a medium bowl and stir in the cheese. Season the pesto with more salt and pepper to taste.
PS Have you bought this cookbook yet?? If you are Italian food lover and you don't have Giada's Everyday Italian, all I have to say is, "Shame."
I will try your recipe...photos are great.
ReplyDeleteIt will taste immensely better if you use Kosher salt and not regular table salt, as will everything else.
ReplyDelete