Easy Basil Pesto Recipe with Lots of Tips

Step 1

Prepare a small bowl of ice water. Bring a small saucepan, filled halfway with salted water, to a boil. Submerge basil leaves in boiling water for 5 to 10 seconds, or until wilted. Then, immediately plunge into ice water to stop cooking. Drain, squeeze to remove excess water then pat dry with a clean dish towel.

Step 2

Smash and peel the garlic clove then mince. Holding a chef’s knife at an angle, scrape the blade of the knife across the minced garlic. Gather it all together then scrape it against the board again until it becomes a fine paste.

Step 3

Combine the garlic paste and the pine nuts in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse 2 to 3 times until everything is chopped small. Add basil.

Step 4

With the processor running, slowly pour the olive oil into the bowl. After adding all of the oil, check the consistency of the pesto — we like it to have some texture. For smoother pesto, pulse a few more times.

Step 5

Transfer pesto to a bowl then mix in the cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Use immediately or store for later.