Basil Pesto

Cuisinart original

Once you taste how vibrant homemade pesto is you will never buy it pre-made again.

Yields

Yield: about 1 cup


Ingredients

1   ounce Parmesan or Pecorino cheese,
     cut into ½-inch cubes
¼  cup pine nuts, lightly toasted
1   garlic clove, peeled
2   cups tightly packed fresh basil leaves
1   to 2 pinches kosher salt
     pinch ground black pepper
½ cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more
    as desired


Nutritional information

Nutritional information per serving (1 tablespoon):
Calories 86 (92% from fat) • carb. 1g • pro. 1g • fat 9g • sat. fat 2g • chol. 2mg • sod. 78mg • calc. 37mg • fiber 0g

Instructions

1. Insert the chopping blade into the work bowl of the food processor. Add the cheese, nuts, and garlic and process on High until roughly chopped, about 10 seconds. Add the basil, salt, and pepper; chop using 10 to 15 pulses. With the machine running on Low, add the olive oil in a slow and steady stream through the feed tube, processing until combined and an emulsion is formed, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides of the work bowl. If a thinner consistency is desired, process with additional oil or water.
2. To store the pesto, transfer to a glass jar or airtight container; tap to remove air bubbles and even out the surface. Cover the surface directly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. The pesto will keep for 5 days in the refrigerator, or it may be frozen for up to 2 months.