Description
Joanna Gaines’ pesto brings fresh Italian flavors straight from her Magnolia kitchen to your table. Homemade basil, garlic, pine nuts, and parmesan combine into a silky sauce perfect for pasta, sandwiches, and countless culinary adventures you’ll love exploring.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 cups fresh basil leaves
- 1 ½ cups chopped walnuts
- 4 cloves garlic
Cheese:
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 1 cup olive oil
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare a food processor and measure out fresh basil leaves, ensuring they are clean and free from any bruised or discolored sections.
- Add whole walnuts, peeled garlic cloves, and grated Parmesan cheese (about 50 grams or 1.8 ounces) into the food processor.
- Pulse the ingredients until they form a coarse, textured mixture with small, uniform pieces.
- While the processor is running, gradually stream in extra virgin olive oil (approximately 120 milliliters or 1/2 cup) in a steady, thin drizzle to emulsify the sauce.
- Pause the processor and scrape down the sides with a spatula to ensure all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Season the pesto with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, tasting and adjusting the seasoning as needed.
- Give the mixture a final quick blend to distribute the seasonings and achieve a smooth, vibrant green consistency.
- Transfer the pesto to a serving bowl or storage container, using immediately for maximum flavor or refrigerating for up to 5 days with a thin layer of olive oil on top to prevent oxidation.
- Serve as a versatile sauce for pasta, a flavorful spread on crusty bread, or a dynamic topping for grilled vegetables and proteins.
Notes
- Discover the magic of transforming simple ingredients into a vibrant, aromatic sauce that screams homemade goodness.
- Experiment with different nuts like almonds or pine nuts for a unique twist on traditional pesto.
- Prevent browning by adding a thin layer of olive oil on top when storing in the refrigerator.
- Clean your blender immediately after use to avoid stubborn pesto residue that hardens quickly.
- Freeze pesto in ice cube trays for convenient single-serving portions ready to elevate any dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks, Dinner
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 700
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 70 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 64 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg