My husband and I recently took a little vacation to Palm Springs. We stayed at a nice Marriot resort that had a couple pools and a bunch of restaurants in it. We hardly left the resort, it was so much fun! We ate at a couple of the restaurants while we were there and I was so inspired by the delicious food, I knew I had to try and recreate some of the dishes we ate while there.
There was this amazing pesto and pesto pizza (which I’ll be sharing soon…) that I seriously thought was the most delicious thing I had ever tasted in my entire life. As soon as we got home from Palm Springs I began whipping up batches of pesto. This recipe is the best ever! My husband was trying to sneak spoonfuls of it when I wasn’t looking, ha!
If you’ve never had pesto – now’s the chance to try it! It’s delicious on french bread, pasta, pizza, burgers…the list goes on and on. If you’ve never made it, it’s so easy! I think the toasting of the garlic and pine nuts are very important steps, so I wouldn’t skip those. In the next few days, I’ll be sharing some recipes to help you make some quick meals using pesto. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup parsley
- 7 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup grated fresh parmesan
- 1/4-1/2 tsp. salt
Instructions
- Heat a small skillet on medium heat. Place unpeeled garlic in skillet and let cook, tossing often, for about seven minutes until garlic is spotted brown and soft. Set aside and let cool.
- Place the pine nuts in the same skillet and cook on medium for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring often, until light brown and fragrant. Set aside.
- Place basil leaves and parsley in a large freezer bag. Bruise leaves by hitting with a mallet or rolling pin.
- Peel garlic and place in food processor. Add toasted pine nuts, bruised basil and parsley leaves, olive oil, parmesan and salt. Blend until combined. Use right away or store in a mason jar in the refrigerator until ready to use.
This looks so yummy! Literally – every time I make an Italian dish, I think – I wish I knew how to make Pesto… I LOVE pesto on baguettes. Thanks so much for linking it up – I need to start clipping your recipes & create a “Yummy, Healthy, Easy Recipe Binder!” haha!
I am OBSESSED with basil pesto. Seriously! It’s an addiction. Hugs, Holly
http://coconutheadsurvivalguide.com/blog
I love pesto, and eating it on a pizza with spinach and feta is one of my faves!
I have never made pesto myself, I finally have to with this recipe. It looks so good! I’d love to have you share this and/or any other recipe at Wednesday Extravaganza – A Foodie Link Party! Hope to see you there 🙂
http://www.hungrylittlegirl.com/1/post/2013/06/wednesday-extravaganza-34.html
I LOVE pesto! I’ve never made it before but keep wanting to. I look forward to that pesto pizza recipe – I’m a fan of pesto on pizza 🙂
I would love to try this:) We would love for you to share at our new Super Summer Saturday party here: http://www.thechirpingmoms.com/2013/06/super-summer-saturday.htmlThanks!
Julie
We love Fresh Pesto with basil from the garden! This is perfect! Pinned of course! Thanks so much for sharing on Two Cup Tuesday at Pint Sized Baker. I hope to see you again on Monday night!