Prep time – 20mins
Cooking time – 0mins
Serves – 12
| Ingredients | Qty | Protein | Fat | CHO |
| Basil leaves, medium packed | 4 cups | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Extra virgin, cold pressed olive oil ~ 2/3 cup | 170ml | 0 | 158 | 0 |
| Parmesan, grated (optional) - 2 tablespoons | 15g | 4 | 7 | 0 |
| Pinenuts, toasted - 2 tablespoons | 20g | 2.5 | 14 | 1 |
| Garlic cloves (optional) | 1-2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Salt | 1/2 tsp | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total per serve | 1 | 1 | 15 | 1 |
SERVES – 12
per Serve (1 tablespoon): 140 cal / 590 kJ
for Dairy Free or Vegan – leave out the parmesan
for low FODMAP – leave out the garlic
Our favourite local farmers market sells organic bunches for a dollar – crazy cheap and so fresh. Great inspiration for a batch of pesto.
To make in a food processor
Add basil, garlic and pine nuts to a food processor and process until finely chopped. Add the olive oil and parmesan (if using) and process until combined.
Transfer to a glass jar or pyrex container and store in the fridge. A thin layer of olive oil added on top of the stored pesto can prevent excessive browning.
Note: dry roasting the pine nuts first in a heavy bottom pan adds a toasted flavour to the pesto.
To make in a blender
If you don’t have a food processor, this can work in a blender. Add the garlic then pack the basil leaves into the blender. Add the olive oil. You may need to add a bit more olive oil (try 1/4 cup) to get the mixture blending properly. Once mixed to a chunky puree add the pine nuts, salt and parmesan (if using) and blend again briefly. Transfer to a glass jar or pyrex container and store in the fridge. You can also freeze this recipe.
* brazil or macadamia nuts can be substituted for pine nuts.
** mint also tastes great in pesto, just add with basil and process to combine.
