How To: Make Pesto
Pesto, the classic green Italian condiment.
Begin by combining olive oil, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, walnuts (optional), butter (optional), and/or garlic (optional) in a food processor. Process until smooth. Then add basil leaves. Pulse to gently process and incorporate. Do not overprocess as excessive chopping and the heat generated by the machine will discolor the basil.
I didn’t include any measurements in this recipe. This is because pesto is really a sauce that doesn’t need exact amounts. If it’s too thick, add more oil. If it’s too light, add more Parmesan or a touch of butter. If you added too much garlic… well that one’s a little trickier.
Start with a small amount of basil and play around with the amounts of the other ingredients until you find the balance that works best for you.
