I always used to buy pesto at the store until my Chef roommate rolled her eyes at me and said it was the easiest thing to make… and well I guess she was right. There is no reason not to make your own fresh pesto.

The secret to good pesto is quality ingredients. Fresh Parmesan, extra fresh basil and Italian pine nuts.

Ingredient:

• 1/4 cup Pine Nuts from Italy. Unfortunately most stores have pine nuts made in China – so I usually do half pine nuts, half almond.
•  2 cups – Fresh Basil
• 1 cup – Parmesan
• 1/2 a Lemon Juice
• 1 small garlic clove
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Step 1:

Warm the oven at 350 F. Roast the pine nuts (and Almond) until lightly brown (about 6-7 minutes)

Let it cool.

Step 2:

In a mixer, add the roasted nuts and olive oil. Mix until it makes a nice paste. Add the  Parmesan, garlic, basil and lemon juice.

The consistency should be that of a paste, do not mix it so hard it makes a purée. Add olive oil as need if it is too dense.

Step 3:

Enjoy the pesto! you can keep it in the fridge in a small container. You will want to top off the pesto with olive oil to avoid oxidization, it will help keep your pesto nice and green.