What Is Pesto? How Do You Make It?

What Is Pesto?

Pesto is an Italian sauce from the Genoa region derived from fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, salt & pepper.

Pesto traditionally was used as a flavouring agent for soup but now is best known for use in pasta, sandwiches and wraps. You can use it on pizza, as a marinade for chicken or to add some colour to your scrambled eggs. Green eggs and ham anyone? Combined with yogurt it makes a creamy dip for artichokes (this recipe is cost effective using walnuts in the place of pine nuts).

Pesto was originally made using a mortar and pestle , a technique that was used to maximize the flavour of the basil leaves, but nowadays it is usually made in the food processor.

If you're looking for a traditional pesto recipe, then you'll find a great one at 101Cookbooks called How To Make Pesto Like An Italian Grandmother.

For a fun twist on the original, try Rachael Ray's Asparagus and Pistachio Pesto.


Photo used under Creative Commons from bloggyboulga