Description
I've made plenty of pesto variations over the years, but after getting a fancy bottle of olive oil and a mortar and pestle, I knew that it was finally time to honor my Italian ancestors and make a proper pesto. Lemon juice isn't entirely traditional, but I really think it boosts the flavor, as well as preventing the basil from turning brown. Check out some of my other pesto recipes, with varying amounts of oil, different kinds of nuts, vegan versions, and high protein versions.
Time
Prep Time:
5 minutes
Total Time:
5 minutes
Cost
Total Cost:
Cost per Serving:
$0.60
Ingredients
Serving(s)
- 2 tbsp Pine nuts
- 3 clove Garlic, fresh
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper, ground
- 1 1/4 cup, 45 leaves Basil, fresh
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- 3 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
- 4 tbsp Grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
Cook Mode Off: Prevents screen dimming
- In a small pan over medium heat, toast the pine nuts (or any other nuts) until lightly browned and fragrant, about 3 minutes
- Meanwhile, crush together the garlic, salt, and black pepper in your mortar and pestle until you have a paste
- Roughly chop your basil, add to the mortar in batches, and crush until broken down. Repeat until all the basil is incorporated
- Grind in the pine nuts and lemon juice
- Add in half the oil and your cheese, and grind until combined. Grind in the other half of the oil
Notes
- Pesto isn't just for pasta! Below is this batch of pesto mixed with 1 cup (185 g) brown rice and 2 lbs (908 g) frozen vegetables (broccoli & cauliflower)
Nutrition Facts
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Total Fat: 12.8g (16%
16 % of Daily Value (78 g)
)
Saturated Fat: 2.3g (12%
12 % of Daily Value (20 g)
)
Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.1g
Monounsaturated Fat: 7.5g
Cholesterol: 5mg (2%
2 % of Daily Value (300 mg)
)
Sodium: 220mg (10%
10 % of Daily Value (2300 mg)
)
Total Carbohydrate: 2.2g (1%
1 % of Daily Value (275 g)
)
Fiber: 0.3g (1%
1 % of Daily Value (28 g)
)
Net Carbs: 1.9g
Total Sugar: 0.2g
Protein: 2.5g (5%
5 % of Daily Value (50 g)
)
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Vitamin B12: 0.08mcg (3%
3 % of Daily Value (2.4 mcg)
)
Vitamin D: 0.0mcg (0%
0 % of Daily Value (20 mcg)
)
------------------------------------------
Calcium: 69mg (5%
5 % of Daily Value (1300 mg)
)
Iron: 0.43mg (2%
2 % of Daily Value (18 mg)
)
Magnesium: 14mg (3%
3 % of Daily Value (420 mg)
)
Potassium: 59mg (1%
1 % of Daily Value (4700 mg)
)
:
:
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:
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22.8
:
0.4
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:
6.9
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Sources of Inspiration
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