Lemony Pesto with Basil and Garlic
Lemony Pesto is a sensational twist on classic pesto sauce. This vibrant and zesty recipe takes traditional pesto to new heights with the infusion of bright lemon juice and fragrant fresh basil.
Ingredients
- 3 cups packed fresh basil
- ¾ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup pine nuts
- 2 cloves garlic
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (about one lemon)
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Heat a dry skillet (no oil) over medium to medium low heat and toast the pine nuts. Stir constantly until fragrant and starting to turn golden brown. Once golden brown, transfer the pine nuts to a bowl to cool and set aside.
- Pulse the garlic cloves and fresh lemon juice in a food processor a few times. Allow the chopped garlic to sit in the lemon juice while you grate the parmesan cheese. This helps break down the harsh garlic flavor.
- Next, add the fresh basil leaves, grated parmesan cheese, toasted pine nuts, lemon zest, kosher salt, and ground black pepper to the food processor. Pulse it a few times until the pesto becomes a thick paste. Scrape down the sides as needed.
- Turn the food processor on, and with the food processor mixing, slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil from the top while mixing. Once the desired consistency is reached, mix with your favorite pasta or cover in a bowl and refrigerate until ready.
Nutrition
Calories: 333kcalCarbohydrates: 2.9gProtein: 5.4gFat: 35.3gSaturated Fat: 5.7gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 292mgPotassium: 123mgCalcium: 118mg
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