Bright and Fresh Basil Pesto
This basil pesto goes great with many recipes, like pizza and pasta to name a few.
Bright and Fresh Basil Pesto
This Bright and Fresh Basil Pesto is a great dip or spread that originates from Italy. While basic – its versatility and low ingredient list make it a great addition to a wide variety of recipes. The basic recipe combines basil, olive oil, pine nuts, and salt. Online, you can find basil swaps and nut swaps that can enhance the recipe or bring the cost down, or both! I love this recipe spread on pizza, added onto sandwiches, and dolled into soup for extra oomph – the combinations are endless. In this version, we also swap out the pine nuts for sunflower seeds which (after trying a few times) I found to have the best flavor and come out to a smoother consistency.
Why You’ll Love this Recipe:
- Low ingredient list – This recipe’s beauty is in its simplicity. We just need fresh basil, lemon juice, sunflower seeds, salt, parmesan cheese, and olive oil. We pulse them all together and it’s ready to use.
- Variety of uses – As I mentioned above, pesto is a great garnish in so so many things. I’ve spread it onto bread for sandwiches, I use pesto in my Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana recipe, and then it’s, of course, wonderful on pasta. While a good marinara is always tasty and classic, pesto has a fresh summertime flavor owing to the basil and lemon.
Notes for a Successful Pesto:
I was lucky enough to get freshly picked basil leaves, but store bought works well too!
We can’t get much easier than this, friends! We take all of the ingredients listed and blend them together into a smooth texture. Since the instructions are so easy, I thought it would be helpful to add some additional notes:
- Add small increments of extra olive oil to get the right consistency or if you are having trouble blending.
- You can fill out the remainder with another leafy vegetable if you don’t have enough basil. I’ve used baby spinach and kale with great success.
- Don’t forget to taste as you go! I usually take a quick taste test to check on lemon juice and salt before adding more.
This basil pesto looks so fresh that it’s hard to believe it’s real!
Are you looking for a full meal? That’s alright! Try my Tandoori Chicken Burgers!
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pictures of your creations on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok! Hashtag them #thehappyhaandi. And tag me @thehappyhaandi.
Bright and Fresh Basil Pesto
Equipment
- 1 Blender
Ingredients
- 2 cups Fresh Basil (Substitute another leafy green if you don't have enough basil!)
- 1/4 cup Olive Oil
- 1/4 cup Sunflower Seeds
- 3 cloves Garlic
- 1 Lemon - juiced (Start with half a lemon, then taste and add more if needed)
- 1 tbsp Parmesan Cheese
- Salt (to taste)
Instructions
To make the Pesto:
- Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender.
- Once everything is blended into a smooth consistency, this pesto is good to use immediately!
Notes
- Add small increments of extra olive oil to get the right consistency or if you are having trouble blending.
- You can fill out the remainder with another leafy vegetable if you don't have enough basil. I've used baby spinach and kale with great success.
- Don't forget to taste as you go! I usually take a quick taste test to check on lemon juice and salt before adding more.
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