Pesto Sauce

By eapeterson

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan-Reggiano or Romano cheese
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup pine nuts or walnuts
• 3 medium sized garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 tsp Salt and freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)

Preparation

Step 1

Combine the basil in with the pine nuts, pulse a few times in a blender or food processor. (If you are using walnuts instead of pine nuts and they are not already chopped, pulse them a few times first, before adding the basil.)

Add the garlic, pulse a few times more.Slowly add the olive oil in a constant stream while the blender is on. Stop to scrape down the sides of the blender with a rubber spatula. Add the grated cheese and pulse again until blended. Add a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.