PERFECT PESTO THE TASTE OF SUMMER!
Do you know what time it is? PESTO TIME!!!! It’s time to make pesto and use up all those big bushy basil plants! It’s so easy to turn basil and a few other fresh ingredients into scrumptious green-gold! I love love love pesto! And I can’t imagine going through the year without a big stash in the freezer. So, before all of my basil plants are done for the season I’m picking every leaf and turning them into the most delicious thing in my frig and freezer!
I have made this classic Italian aromatic sauce for decades. And if you have never made it before… please do! It’s so so worth it. It is NOTHING like the store bought kind! Oh I can’t sing the praises of Pesto enough!
Perfect drizzled over garden tomatoes (these are mine), piled on roasted veggies and meats, stirred into pasta or used as a base for a more complex sauce, pesto is a versatile and crowd pleasing addition to your favorite recipes!
And here’s a great little secret… I use a couple of “cubes” mixed into my favorite jarred tomato sauce to give it a wonderful homemade flavor!
The summery flavor of pesto can be saved by freezing the sauce it in ice cube trays. When the pesto is frozen solid, pop the cubes into a freezer bag or freezer container.
PERFECT PESTO
Ingredients
- 2 ½ c. fresh basil leaves packed
- ¼ c. toasted pine nuts
- ½ c. parmesan cheese chunked
- or grated
- ½ c. Locatelli cheese chunked or
- grated. If you cannot find Locatelli cheese use all Parmesan.
- ¾ c. light olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 TBS butter
- dash of fresh ground pepper
Instructions
- In a dry pan, add pine nuts and toast over low heat. Be very careful, they easily burn. Put the pine nuts in food processor.
- Wash and dry basil leaves and add to food processor. Put in all other ingredients with the pine nuts and basil and process until blended.
- I like my basil a little less processed and just a tad "chunky".
Notes
Enjoy!!! What is your favorite way to use Pesto? Please share!
Remember to pin this to your RECIPE or FOOD Pinterest boards. You can follow me on Pinterest and see what I’m pinning daily HERE.
Love pesto thank you so much for the recipe. I did not know that you could freeze it. You always have the best recipe’s Yvonne. Just made your peach dumplings yesterday. They were a big hit with everyone. I have pinned so many of your recipes and make them often. Thank you for sharing these great recipes.
Yarlette, Thanks so much for letting me know! You made my day!
Thanks for the recipe, I’m going to give it a go. Some of the shop bought pestos are too salty or way too oily. We love to stir pesto through pasta or just dip crusty bread into it and eat, yum!
I love Pesto!! Tried to make it a couple of years ago but wondered about processing it in 1/2pint jars. Is there a secret to that or do you just freeze it? I find in you a kindred spirit and am thoroughly blessed as I read your postings each day.
Basil is very fragile. I would not process it. Freeze it… the taste of summer is frozen in too!
Homemade pesto is my absolute fav. Pinning your recipe to give it a try since I’ve never even heard of that one cheese before.
Locatelli is a kind of hard italian cheese very similar to Parmesan, just a little stronger.
I love pesto! I have never made it from scratch though. I’m not a fan of pine nuts. What other nut can I substitute? Thanks for the yummy recipe, Yvonne!
I bet pesto could be made using your favorite nut. The pesto you love was probably make with pine nuts so I might give it a try. I really don’t taste pine nuts in my recipe when it is all processed!
I use walnuts as they are cheaper than pine nuts. I don’t see the amount your recipe makes.
Oh, and one more thing: I use mini muffin tins, sprayed with pam to freeze pesto. then pop them out into a plastic bag. Also have just put pesto in a zip lock plastic bag, smash it flat, and when you want a little, hit the bag and what you need breaks off.
Freezing pesto is my favorite! I say I have a taste of real summer all winter long. Thanks so much for your tips!
Not sure off the top of my head. I make this so so often I don’t measure it. It probably makes a good 2 cups.
THANKS for the pesto recipe. So, what is your favorite jarred tomato sauce you add the cubes to ?
I like Barilla.
I really like pesto on hamburgers!
Oh, yummy!
Hello!
How long does the pesto last frozen?
Thank you.
We eat it before the next spring… a good long time, but we’ve always eaten it up before it gets bad.. if it ever does.
The pesto receip looks yummy, can not wait to make it!
Have a great day!
The sub header is really cool.
I will definitely give this a try! I would like to try it on my homemade pizza….I think it would be perfect!
Thanks for the recipe!!
That sound scrumptious!
Thank you, Yvonne. You would probably not believe how many of your recipes I have made. I have never made a single one that was not a hit! I am glad to know I can save my beautiful basil. Freezing pesto. A clever idea! Of course, we would never expect anything less from you!
Have a great week.
Sherry
Thank you for your pesto recipe! I also make pesto most every year. I love it on grilled or baked chicken or spread on french bread and toasted with a little Parmesan cheese. I have found that because Pine Nuts are so expensive, you can substitute walnuts. The idea to freeze it in ice cube trays is wonderful for using small amounts when cooking.
Thank you for your insight and sharing of recipes and all other things on your blog. You are a blessing to so many!
There is nothing like great homemade pesto….thanks for the recipe…it looks and sounds wonderful!
I will make this today. Thank you for sharing
I use sunflower seeds, roasted and salted. I love it spread thick on a bagel for lunch!
I’ve never made pesto… but I have a “big bushy basil plant” that I need to do something with. Time to try my hand at it, I guess. Your recipe looks great!
Would you mind sharing the kind of olive oil you used? The brand. I have heard that a good olive oil is important. Thank you
Hi Dawn, I get “cold pressed extra virgin” olive oil. It’s the first and best pressing of the olives. As far a brand… I use many.
I cannot wait to try your basil recipe. You make it sound so wonderful. Thank you Yvonne, for your blog.
Looks so tasty! I too love Pesto!
This recipe is on my todo list – thanks.e
I have got lots of basil growing in my garden. I’m definitely going to make your pesto recipe. Thanks.
We love pesto with bread, chicken, and so many other things. I make fresh pesto with whatever nuts we have on hand (walnuts, peanuts, cashews, etc.) I have never frozen pesto, but that’s a great suggestion that I will definitely try!!!