Ingredients for Pesto Sauce
Note that pesto is always made to taste, based on the ingredients at hand. So adjust the ingredients to your taste. Most pesto recipes call for Parmesan cheese; we often use Romano which has a stronger flavor. Basil pesto recipes often call for pine nuts, but you can easily substitute walnuts. Basil is a powerfully aromatic herb and a little goes a long way. You can mellow the pesto out a bit by subbing half of the basil with fresh baby spinach leaves. The pesto will more easily stay vibrant green and the flavor of the basil will still come through, though just not as strongly.
How To Freeze Pesto
If you want to freeze the pesto, omit the cheese (it doesn’t freeze well). Line an ice cube tray with plastic wrap, and fill each cube with the pesto sauce. Freeze and then remove from the ice tray and store in a freezer safe, zip-top bag. When you want to use it, defrost and add the grated Parmesan or Romano. The most popular variety of pesto now is made by “crushing” basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil and some hard cheese in a food processor or blender, but there are many varieties of pesto like sun dried tomato pesto or kale pesto. It’s fun to use a mortar and pestle, but the modern way is much easier.
Use Fresh Basil for Pesto
Dried basil is fine for flavoring sauces, soups, and other dishes. But its flavor is very different from fresh basil. You need fresh basil leaves to make pesto. When buying fresh basil, look for vibrant green leaves with no sports or wilting. There are many varieties of basil. Thai basil is really the only kind that’s too pungent for this recipe.
Use Pesto In These Recipes!
Garlic Bread Roasted New Potatoes Homemade Pizza Three Cheese Pesto Lasagna Rosemary Focaccia
Toss with pasta for a quick sauce, dollop over baked potatoes, or spread onto crackers or toasted slices of bread.
