Pesto Sauce

Condiments and Sauces

Recipe courtesy of "Savoring Spices and Herbs" by Julie Sahni

Makes 1 cup

Ingredients: 
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 5 tablespoons white wine
  • 1/3 cup pine nuts
  • 2 cups (packed) fresh basil leaves, rinsed and dried
  • 3 tablespoons parmesan, freshly grated
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper

Note: Walnuts or pistachios may be substituted for pine nuts.

Pesto Sauce

Pesto Sauce


Method: 

Pour the oil and wine into a blender. Add the  garlic and process until roughly pureed. Add the nuts and process until finely chopped. Take care not to over process or the nuts will turn into a butter.

Add the basil, a little at a time processing until all is used. The mixture should be like a slightly grainy  puree. Add the cheese and process only until  mixed in. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Use right away or transfer to a bowl, cover and set aside for several hours at room temperature.

Note: The pesto keeps well tightly covered for up to 1 week in the refrigerator or up to 6 months in the freezer. To prevent discoloration, pour a thin layer of oil on top to create an air tight seal, before covering with a lid.

Substitutions: Cilantro  for basil leaves as directed and walnuts or pistachios for the pine nuts. This is a lower calorie version of pesto. If yoe want to kick it up add  more olive oil and Parmesan cheese (1/2 cup) too.

Louisiana Recipes Weekly



 

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