Pesto

Pesto

Serves Makes 2 cups
Inspiration Silver Palate

Ingredients

  • 2 Cups packed fresh basil leaves
  • 4 Good sized garlic cloves (peeled and chopped)
  • 1 cup olive oil
  • 1 1/4 Cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • salt and freshly ground pepper (to taste)

Directions

Wash the basil and pat dry or use a salad spinner
Pesto - the basil leaves
Combine the basil and garlic in the a blender or bowl of a food processor and chop.
Pesto - ready to mix
Leave the motor running and add the olive oil in a slow, steady stream.
Pesto - drizzle in the oil
Shut the motor off, add the cheese, a pinch of salt and a liberal grinding of pepper.
Pesto - add the cheese
Process briefly to combine, then scrape out into a bowl and cover until ready to use. If you cannot use it all in the foreseeable future, then scoop it into a clean ice cube tray, cover lightly with plastic wrap and freeze
Pesto - ready to freeze
When frozen, move the pesto cubes to a zip lock bag or plastic container. You can use it a cube at a time in anything that requires pesto. You can easily cut the cubes in half, since they are so full of oil, they will cut even when frozen.