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Classic Pesto

Name: Classic Pesto
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 3/4 cup (180 ml)
Ingredients: 4 cups (120 g) packed basil leaves; 1/4 cup (30 g) roasted pine nuts; 1/4 cup (18 g) Parmesan cheese, freshly grated; 1 garlic clove, roughly chopped; 1/4 cup (60 ml) olive oil; 1 to 2 tbsp (15 to 30 ml) lemon juice

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Preparation: 10 MIN
Makes: 3/4 cup (180 ml)

Ingredients
Preparation

Ingredients

4 cups (120 g) packed basil leaves
1/4 cup (30 g) roasted pine nuts
1/4 cup (18 g) Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1 garlic clove, roughly chopped
1/4 cup (60 ml) olive oil
1 to 2 tbsp (15 to 30 ml) lemon juice

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Preparation

In a food processor, finely chop the basil, pine nuts, cheese and garlic. With the machine running, slowly drizzle in the oil and mix well to combine. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the food processor as needed. Add the lemon juice to taste. Season with salt and pepper.
This classic pesto will keep for 2 weeks in an airtight container in the refrigerator or for 6 months in the freezer. Add a thin layer of oil to the surface of the pesto to prevent it from browning (a process called oxidization).

Note

To get the smoothest pesto, the secret is to blend your herb mixture at a low speed, and slowly and evenly stream in the oil. This basically binds all the ingredients together, which is also known as an emulsion.