As many of you know, I teach in-home culinary classes. Of all the recipes out there my most requested one from my students, friends and strangers is "how to make pesto"? So I decided I would show & share this simple recipe on my blog for everyone else out there that would like to learn how to make it.
Below is the recipe along with a video that I put together. Bear in mind I'm still new at putting these videos together but hopefully I did a good enough job so that you'll be able to reproduce this on your own.
In addition I've also included a demonstration on making a Caprese Pasta Salad. This salad uses pesto to create a light, refreshing and luscious dish. Use as a side salad or entree. To make it a heartier dish add some chicken, or shrimp.
Pesto
Makes 2 1/2 cups
Ingredients:
3 tsp pine nuts
2 cups fresh basil leaves
1 garlic clove
Pinch of sea salt
½ cup plus 3 Tbsp. grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1 ¼ cups extra virgin olive oil
In a food processor, place pine nuts, basil, garlic, and sea salt and process to a paste. Add the cheese and drizzle in the olive oil. Store in a jar, topped with oil.
Pesto can be used in many dishes. From dips, to spreads, with fish, chicken, meats, on sandwiches and pasta just to name a few. Make up a batch of your own for a fraction of the price that it would cost to purchase the ready-made variety in the stores and you'll never buy it again.
Enjoy!
