Homemade Basil Pesto

Pesto, in case you've never had it, is a wonderful concoction of basil, garlic, pine nuts and Parmesan cheese. It can be used in numerous ways, but most commonly tossed in pasta or used on pizza in place of tomato sauce. It's basically amazing, and is incredibly easy to make!

I tend to "eye-ball" a lot of my ingredients for sauce, and the more you make it you'll do it too, but here's the closest thing to a "recipe" I could write up. Go on, you know you want to try it!

Ingredients 

• 3 C fresh basil leaves

• 1/4 - 1/2 C grated Parmesan (add +/- for thickness preference)*

• 1/3 C EVOO

• 3 cloves fresh garlic

• 1/2 C pine nuts

• salt/pepper to taste

Directions 

In a blender, combine all ingredients except the Parmesan*. Once all ingredients are combined, leaving a smooth texture, slowly add the cheese, blending periodically, until desired consistency is reached. 

*For pizza, I add ~1/2 C versus 1/4 to help toppings adhere. Pasta not as much to keep the dish light, and garnish with a few extra pine nuts!